The stars selected to take part in IBJJF The Crown have reached the final stretch of their preparations for the tournament's debut, which will be presented by FloGrappling at the famous Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA.

 Like fight fans all around the world, super heavyweight athlete Tayane Porfírio has high expectations for the competition, which will mark her return to the IBJJF mats after a long hiatus.

The road to the title and the $15,000 prize, however, will not be an easy one. In addition to Tayane, the super heavyweight bracket will also feature the dangerous Gabrieli Pessanha, Amy Campo, and Melissa Cueto, all ready to thwart Tayane's plans and take the event's beautiful crown home. But even up against some of the best athletes in her division, Tayane remains one of the favorites for the title.

“I was surprised by the invitation,” she said. “The card was already complete, so I wasn’t expecting it. Receiving this invitation and entering the GP as one of the favorites for the title, especially considering that my division is fiercer than ever, made me very happy. I’m ready for another challenge.”

A 2017 Worlds weight and absolute champion, Tayane will kick off her campaign at The Crown in a duel against Melissa Cueto, a two-time world champion who won her last title in this year's competition. If she wins this first match, Tayane will face the winner of Amy Campo vs. Gabrieli Pessanha, both very talented athletes with a vast array of titles in the sport's elite. Looking to regain her old throne atop the division, Tayane joins the roster ready for anything, but with a clear target for the bracket.

“I'm always prepared for any kind of fight. I train different passes and sweeps, so I'm ready to face whatever comes my way. The girls' games are somewhat similar, but each athlete has a different strategy and explosion. It doesn't matter which athlete will be waiting for me in the final because either one will be tough, but I would really like to face Gabi Pessanha, who is without a doubt one of the best out there. If I’m going to get back to the top, I need to face those who are already there.”

Tayane's journey to return to the pinnacle of the competitive scene has already begun. In October, the black belt put on her gi and headed to Abu Dhabi, coming out victorious against the tough-as-nails Giovana Jara at the ADXC. A talented guard player with a strong game on top, Tayane said she believes that her time away from competition helped in her evolution as an athlete, bringing important qualities and the right mentality to fuel a successful career in the sport, all while maintaining a light-hearted outlook on being a mother and an athlete.

“This time away has made me stronger. Before I only focused on titles, money, and impressing my sponsors, but I now do it for myself and my family, following the purpose that God set for me. I've always been a fighter at heart, but now I'm also patient and resilient, and that has made a difference in my fights. I will do my best to earn that 15 thousand dollars, especially because of how expensive milk and diapers have become."

IBJJF's The Crown: Presented by Flograppling
Walter Pyramid, Long Beach-CA
November 19th, 2023

Men's Featherweight (70kg/154.3lbs)

• Fabricio Andrey, IBJJF World Champion
• Isaac Doederlein, IBJJF World Champion
• Samuel Nagai, IBJJF World Champion
• Diego Pato Oliviera, IBJJF World Champion

Men's Middleweight (82.4kg/181.4lbs)

• Andy Murasaki, 2-time IBJJF Worlds Finalist & Pans Finalist
• Tainan Dalpra, 2-time IBJJF World Champion & 3-time Pans Champion
• Pedro Maia, IBJJF Worlds & Pans Finalist
• Mauricio Oliveira, IBJJF Brasileiro Champion

Men's Heavyweight (94.3kg/207.9lbs)

• Fellipe Andrew, 2023 IBJJF World Champion, 4-time Pans Champion
• Gustavo Batista, 3-Time IBJJF World Champion, 4-time Pan Champion
• Francisco Lo, 2023 No-Gi Pan Champion
• Uanderson Ferreira, 2023 IBJJF Sul Americano Champion

Men's Ultra-Heavyweight (Unlimited)

• Erich Munis, 3-time World Champion, 2023 World Absolute Runner-Up
• Joao Gabriel Rocha, 2-time Pan Champion, 3-time World Medalist
• Roosevelt Sousa, 2023 Pans Medalist
• Victor Honorio, IBJJF European Champion, Brasileiro Champion

Women's Lightweight (64kg/141.1lbs)

• Janaina Lebre, 2022 IBJJF Grand Prix champion & 2-time IBJJF World Finalist
• Nathalie Ribeiro, 2-time IBJJF Worlds Medalist & 2-time IBJJF Pans Champion
• Brianna Ste-Marie, IBJJF Worlds Medalist
• Luiza Monteiro, 2-time IBJJF World Champion & 9-time Pans Champion

Women's Super-Heavyweight (Unlimited)

• Gabi Pessanha, 6-time IBJJF World Champion
• Amy Campo, IBJJF World Champion
• Melissa Stricker, 2-time IBJJF World Champion
• Tayane Porfirio, 2-time IBJJF World Champion