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'Epic Quality To These 2.' The Nicholas Meregali vs. Kaynan Duarte Matchup

'Epic Quality To These 2.' The Nicholas Meregali vs. Kaynan Duarte Matchup

A Nicholas Meregali and Kaynan Duarte match at 2024 ADCC World Championship could be the best of the tournament according to FloGrappling expert.

Aug 15, 2024 by Joe Harrington
A Full Preview Of The ADCC -99kg Division

Few have spent more time researching, writing and learning about the 2024 ADCC World Championship brackets and athletes than FloGrappling analyst and reporter Joe Gilpin. 

The longtime BJJ writer can reel off stats and matches at lightning speed and few are as plugged into the sport of jiu-jitsu as Gilpin. 

So when he is asked what match he believes could steal the show at ADCC Las Vegas, it’s clear that Gilpin knows what he’s talking about. 

And what he’s talking about is Kaynan Duarte vs. Nicholas Meregali. 

“A rematch between Kaynan Duarte and Nicholas Meregali,” Gilpin. “There is a long list of incredible matches, but I think there is an epic quality to these two and with how much they have accomplished that really sets their meeting apart.”

Meregali, the No. 4 pound-for-pound no-gi grappler in the world, and Duarte, the No. 12, are in the -99KG bracket, which is filled with some of the biggest names in the sport. 

Cyborg Abreu. Rafael Lovato Jr. Michael Pixley. Declan Moody. 

That’s just some of the names. 

Yet, Duarte, the returning champion, and Meregali, the returning medalist, are the clear favorites in the bracket.The two last grappled at WNO 19 in 2023, with Meregali using a Katagatame to submit Duarte. The two have grappled five times and Meregali has the edge 3-2.

Here’s what to know about the possible Duarte-Meregali rematch and why to watch. 

Kaynan Duarte Record

Duarte, 26, is 139-22 all-time. He has 59 submission wins. 

Nicholas Meregali Record

Nicholas Meregali, 30, is 84-15 with 61 submissions. Meregali has never suffered a submission loss. 

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When Could Kaynan Duarte vs. Nicholas Meregali Happen At ADCC?

ADCC Brackets won’t be released until Aug. 16 after the ADCC Hall of Fame induction. Neither are Trials champions because they had already qualified for ADCC, so the seating for the bracket is unclear. 

The first rounds of the ADCC World Championships begins at 1 p.m. EST on Aug. 17. The final day of the tournament starts at 1 p.m. on Aug. 18. 

Nicholas Meregali vs. Kaynan Duarte: Two Big, Talented BJJ Athletes

Gilpin described the matchup as two titans clashing. The resumes for the two are incredibly distinguished. Meregali trains in Austin, Texas with Gordon Ryan and is coached by John Danaher. 

Duarte earned his Black Belt under Andre Galvao, one of the greatest and most dominant athletes in the history of the sport. 

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Both are former IBJJF World Champions in the gi. But Duarte has the edge at ADCC and has won two ADCC World Championships.  

“It’s like watching two titans come together and clash with how big, strong, technical, strategic these guys are,” Gilpin said. “They are truly two of the best of all-time. 

Don’t Underestimate Kaynan Duarte Or Nicholas Meregali Based On Past, Recent Results

Duarte was beaten in 2023 at the IBJJF World Championships by both Victor Hugo and Erich Munis. He lost to Meregali in August 2023. He lost to Luke Griffith in May. 

But Gilpin said it would be a mistake to let those losses linger. Duarte has shown to be a different fighter in a tournament setting. 

“I wouldn’t try to look at those (IBJJF Worlds losses) and say that that was necessarily some down performance that he has to bounce back from to be able to be at his top form,” said Gilpin, who noted that there is no shame losing to Hugo, Munis or Griffith. “I think that Kaynan has had some bad performances that you can pinpoint. 

"But there is an irrefutable truth about Kaynan Duarte: He’s very different when he has a one-on-one match and when he has a tournament.”

In short: he’s a different fighter in a tournament, and that’s why he’s seeking his third straight ADCC World Championship. 

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“When he’s in a tournament, he’s significantly better,” Gilpin said. “He’s able to build momentum and able to figure out what is working for him best on the day. And I think that is very different than what you’ll see in his approach to a lot of Super Fights, where he’s just nowhere near as effective." 

And if you think you can downgrade Meregali’s chances against Duarte based on 2022, think again. 

“They’re very dialed in right now,” Gilpin said. “I think that if you try and take their first match and dismiss Kaynan’s chances in a rematch, you’re going to be sorely mistaken.”

ADCC World Championship Tickets 

The ADCC World Championship begins on Aug. 17 and ends Aug. 18. The event starts at 1 p.m. EST on both days. Tickets can be purchases here.  

When Will The ADCC 2024 Brackets Be Revealed? On Aug. 16

The ADCC World Championship brackets will be released during the second hour of the ADCC Hall of Fame and Bracket reveal show streaming on FloGrappling and the FloSports app at 9 p.m. EST. 

How To Watch The 2024 ADCC World Championship

The 2024 ADCC World Championship will be streaming live in the United States on FloGrappling and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and news also will be available on both platforms.

ADCC Las Vegas Schedule

ADCC Bracket Predictions

Here are the ADCC World Championship Bracket predictions from FloGrappling: 

Women's Brackets 

Men's Brackets

Once brackets are revealed, track them at FloArena. 

Watch BJJ On FloGrappling

FloGrappling is the streaming home to the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu events and news coverage. FloGrappling is the streaming home of: 

Don't Miss IBJJF World Championships And ADCC World Championships On FloGrappling

In May 2024, FloGrappling is streaming the fourth and final Grand Slam event on the IBJJF Calendar in California.  

In August 2024, FloGrappling is streaming the ADCC World Championships. The bi-annual tournament returns to Las Vegas. 

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