The IBJJF open calendar is hitting one of it's busiest weekends of the year as it hosts eight tournaments in four different locations across two separate continents. This weekend, the IBJJF will hold gi and no-gi events in Dallas, TX, New York, NY, San Diego, CA, and Vitoria, Brazil. These hotbeds have attracted plenty of talent in the black belt divisions of both styles. Here are six of the most intriguing matchups to be expected this weekend.

San Diego Open

• Andy Murasaki vs Mathias Luna at gi medium-heavyweight (195lbs)
  • Medium heavy brings 2023 IBJJF Worlds silver medalist Andy Murasaki back to the mat with a five-man division in San Diego. The Atos star's most stern test will probably come from Mathias Luna, an active Checkmat competitor who has been successful in IBJJF open events this year.
• Fellipe Andrew, Pedro Machado, Mateus Rodrigues, Filipe Pimentel at gi heavyweight (208lbs)
  • San Diego's heavyweight divisions are among the deepest in action this weekend, including both the 2023 World Champion and runner-up in the bracket - Fellipe Andrew and Pedro Machado. With tough competitors Mateus Rodrigues and Filipe Pimentel rounding out the entries, there should be good action from the heavyweights on the mat in San Diego.
• Fellipe Andrew, Pedro Machado, Elder Cruz at no-gi heavyweight (202lbs)
  • The heavyweight action won't be exclusive to the gi, with Fellipe and Pedro competing both styles. You can also expect the inclusion of ADCC veteran Elder Cruz, as the CheckMat star continues to focus on no-gi competition.
• The event will also feature Diego "Pato" Oliveira, Rafael Silveira Borges, Janaina Maia, Gabi McComb, Melissa Cueto, and more

Dallas Open

• Sam Nagai vs Marco Mendes at no-gi lightweight (162lbs)
  • Sam Nagai has had the best year of his competition life, winning Worlds for the first time in June. Now he continues to stay active in Dallas up at lightweight, entered in both gi and no-gi. His most intriguing match of the weekend comes against Marco Mendes, the 2023 featherweight brown belt world champion, with their meeting likely to happen in a 3-man no-gi bracket.
• The event will also feature Francisco Lo, Jackson Nagai, Jonathan Satava, and more.

New York Open

• Gianni Grippo vs Frank Rosenthal at no-gi featherweight (149lbs)
  • Gianni and Frank headline their five-man bracket at the New York Open. Grippo has only fought once in 2023, losing to Gabriel Sousa by points at the Toro Cup, after winning a 2022 IBJJF no-gi world championship. Frank is a very experienced no-gi specialist who should give Grippo a tough match and could score the upset.
• Nick Salles vs Max Hanson at gi lightweight (168lbs)
  • Max Hanson continues to build his name as an exciting young black belt, and he can continue to gain critical experience with a seven-man bracket this weekend, including a looming match against Nick Salles. The Movement Art representative is a technician who will aim to play spoiler against the young standout.
• The event will also feature Matheus Diniz (at ultra heavyweight), Junny Ocasio, Danny Stolfi, Matheus Lutes, Italo Lima, Yuta Shimada, and more.

Vitória Open

• Mica Galvao in action in both gi & no-gi
  • Mica Galvao has returned to the competition world, after taking time away recently with a knee injury suffered at BJJ Stars. The Manaus-based star will fight gi and no-gi at the Vitória Open in the medium-heavy divisions of each. It will be his return to IBJJF competition after his doping suspension has been lifted.