The 2024 World Jiu-Jitsu IBBJF World Championships are May 29-June 2, so it's time to recap all of the past winners in all of the weight classes

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Next up it's the wild west of the weight classes, the Open Weight class. Now why is it the wild west? Well because any athlete from any weight class can enter and compete. This makes for some exciting matches. 

Whoever wins this category is known as the Absolute division winner and is considered a breakout performance at the IBJJF World Championships. 

  Here are the winners in the Open Weight division since 1996 at IBJJF Worlds.

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 1996 and 1997: Amaury Bitetti

Bitetti is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. He earned all of his IBBJF World titles in the Open Weight division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 1998: Mario Sperry

Sperry is a three-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight division. That same year his IBJJF Worlds title in the Open Weight, Sperry won an ADCC World Championship. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 1999 and 2000: Rodrigo Medeiros

Medeiros is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. He earned both of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2001: Fernando Pontes

This is Pontes’ first and only IBJJF World Championship title. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2002 and 2003: Marcio Cruz

Cruz is a three-time  IBJJF World Champion. He won two of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight. When he won his first IBJJF World title, he also won the Super Heavyweight division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2004 and 2005: Ronaldo De Souza

Souza is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. He won both of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2006 and 2008: Alexandre Ribeiro

Ribeiro is a five-time IBJJF World Champion. He won two of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2007, 2009, 2010: Roger Gracie

Gracie is a seven-time IBJJF World Champion. He won three of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2011: Rodolfo Viera

Viera is a four-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019: Marcus Almeida (Marcus Buchecha)

Almeida is a seven-time IBJJF World Champion. He won six of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2015: Bernardo Faria

Faria is a three-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2018: Leandro Lo

Lo is eight-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2021: Fellipe Andrew

Andrew is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World Championship titles in the Open Weight class. Andrew is also the reigning IBJJF World heavyweight Champion. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2022: Nicholas Meregali

Meregali is a three-time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF titles in the Open Weight class.  

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2023: Victor Hugo

Hugo is a two time IBJJF World Champion. He won one of his IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. Hugo is the reigning champion in the Open Weight class and looks to defend his title at the 2024 IBJJF World Championship.  

Women’s Open IBJJF Weight Class Champions

Here are all of the Open Weight class women’s winners. IBJJF has had the Super Heavyweight Women's weight class since 2007. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2007: Michele Nicolini

Nicolini is a seven-time IBJJF World Champion. She earned one of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2008: Kyra Gracie

Gracie is a four-time IBJJF World Champion. She won one of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2009: Lana Stefanac

Stefanac is two-time IBJJF World Champion. She earned one of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. Stefanac is also the only female American to win in this division. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2010: Luanna Alzuguir

Alzuguir is a five-time IBJJF World Champion. She won one of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2011 and 2012: Gabrielle Garcia

Garcia is a five-time IBJJF World Champion. She earned two of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2013 and 2014: Beatriz Mesquita

Mesquita is a six-time IBJJF World Champion. She earned two of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2015: Fernanda Mazzelli

Mazzelli is a three-time IBJJF World Champion. She won one of her IBJJF World titles in the Open Weight class. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2016: Dominyk Obelenyte

Obelenyte is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. She won one of her IBJJF Worlds titles in the Open Weight class. The same year she won the Heavyweight IBJJF Worlds title. 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2017:Tayane Porfirio

This is Porfirio first and only IBJJF World Championship title.

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2018 and 2019: Nathieley de Jesus

Jesus is a two-time IBJJF World Champion. She won both of her IBJJF titles in the Open Weight class 

IBJJF Open Weight Champion In 2021, 2022, 2023: Gabi Pessanha

Pessanha is a four-time IBJJF World Champion. She earned two of her IBJJF Worlds titles in the Open Weight class. She is the defending champion and looks to defend her title at the 2024 IBJJF World Championship.  

All Time Weight Class Winners At IBJJF World Championships

• Rooster
• Light Feather
• Featherweight
• Lightweight
• Middleweight

When Are IBJJF Worlds 2024 Championships?

The 2024 World Jiu-jitsu IBJJF World Championships are from May 29-June 2, 2024. 

How To Watch The IBJJF Worlds 2024 

Stream the 2024 IBJJF World Championships on FloGrappling and the FloSports app.

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