Today we are focusing on the +65kg division, the heaviest of the new women's weights. This is an important bracket - whoever wins here will also be favored for the absolute taking place on Sunday. The returning champion is Amy Campo, but she has a field full of elite talent all eager to knock her off.

Division Favorites

Amy Campo

• Amy is the defending champion of the weight class, having won in 2022 with a darkhorse run to gold. She beat Rafaela Guedes in the finals but it was a close performance and for her to repeat would likely require even more than last time. Amy's best position is likely her guard passing, where she brings a lot of pressure and control. Her wrestling is very careful and she works at a very deliberate pace. This is going to be a big positive for her so long as she can manage the match - if not that pace could end up working against Amy since it lets opponents stay competitive in the score.

Kendall Reusing

• To me, the big story of this weight is how Kendall Reusing looks in her ADCC return. In 2022, she lost in the semifinals after an out of bounds exchange against Guedes caused a very serious knee injury. Since then, she's had to get surgery and rehab that limb heavily - but looked good in her return at IBJJF No-Gi Worlds (winning gold). Still, ADCC is a whole different beast and if her knee isn't ready for that elite level then it's going to be a huge factor in this bracket.
  Reusing has what it takes to win, with the best wrestling in the field (probably by a margin considering her freestyle background) and the experience to implement her game against anyone. Keep in mind, she beat Campo at West Coast Trials in 2022 9-0 before Campo would win Worlds. Big rematches with Campo and Guedes could await Reusing's return to ADCC.

Contenders

Nathiely de Jesus

• Nathiely is returning to ADCC with an invitation and the WNO Heavyweight Champion has everything it takes to beat anyone in the field. While she is usually competing in the gi, known for her rock solid lasso guard, she has had success in no-gi including a recent win over Guedes. She has relied on her closed guard and decent wrestling, combined with a winner's mindset that limits mistakes. I think on her best day Nathiely can win this bracket, but it would likely take her being at her best in multiple matches.

Rafaela Guedes

• Rafaela is the returning silver medalist here and is going to be a handful for anyone - and if she doesn't win it all then whoever who does will have likely had to beat her. Still, for all her skill she has lost three of her last four matches - a worrying sign. Rafaela has been focusing on a potential MMA career along with her grappling. Expect her to be a physical force who will continue to march forward as she limits mistakes. If Rafaela can get to her offense more reliably, it will go a long way towards her winning the important matches here.

Darkhorses

Maria Ruffato

• Maria is someone who really raised their stock in the Trials process, winning South American Trials in impressive fashion - including a kneebar in the finals. She's very strong, very tough, and very hungry for her first big opportunity at black belt. I think what limits her is only the experience and often great athletes are able to overcome that gap. Even just winning a match here would be huge for Maria.

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