Some of the biggest names in the game have stepped up and put their names forward for this year’s IBJJF European Championships. 

The five-day event will take place in Lisbon, Portugal and has attracted over 3500 entrants. 

150 adult black belts, both male and female, have entered into the tournament. 

Stand-out names include Caio Terra at roosterweight. With eight competitors in his division, he’ll have his hands full if he wants to take home the gold. 

Light-featherweight has stalwart Joao Miyao. He’s backed up by teammate Hiago Santos, another solid and very active competitor. 

Female light featherweight contains two noted Americans in the form of Chelsea Leah Bainbridge-Donner of ATOS and Caio Terra rep Kristina Barlaan.

Featherweight is stacked with tough names. At the top of the list of Paulo Miyao, but close behind are Marcio Andre of Nova Uniao, Renan Sancar of Calasans BJJ, Brian Mahecha of American Top Team and Victor Genovesi of Alliance. 

Female featherweight disappointingly only has two competitors, with the ever-present Mackenzie Dern almost guaranteed gold against Yas Wilson of Roger Gracie London. 

Lightweight has 19 competitors vying for gold. The division is stacked with younger competitors this year, led by Edwin Najmi, Mansher Khera, Alex Cabanes and Kevin Mahecha (twin brother to Brian). 

The middleweight division has 21 competitors, with more than a few notable names. MMA fighter Yan Cabral returns to the gi. He’s in the mix with guys like ATOS’s Josh Hinger, Polaris veteran Luca Anacoreta, Checkmat’s Alan ‘Finfou’, Eduardo ‘Teta’ Rios, Yago de Souza, Darragh O’Conaill of Ireland and Roger Gracie’s Oli Geddes. 

Female middleweight looks to be exciting, with Luiza Monteiro, Amanda Loewen, Luanna Alzuguir, Megan Nevill and Shanti Abelha among the entrants. With 8 competitors, it’s the largest of the female black belt divisions. 

Middle heavyweight brings some star power to the event, with Andre Galvao and Romulo Barral leading the way (although we hear Galvao may elect to compete in the US Pro JJ on Jan. 24). Also in the mix are Patrick Gaudio, Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa and Diogo Moreno, all very tough comeptitors. Leandro Lo’s name is among the entrants, but we have heard that he’s not going to attend. More on that soon. 

Felipe Pena and Jackson Sousa are two of the biggest names from the heavyeweight division (and our likely finalists). The remaining 11 men in the category lack big names, but they’ll likely make up for it on the mats. 

Super heavyweight has a few notable competitors among the ranks, including Erberth Santos (now representing Ryan Gracie), Copa Podio veteran Alexandre Ceconi, Lucio ‘Lagarto’ Rodrigues of Gracie Barra, GF Team’s Manoel Fernandes Neto and Cassio da Silva of Gracie Barra BH. 

Ultra heavyweight will most likely be dominated by the gargatuan Otavio Nalati. Gracie Barra’s Luke Costello returns to action after a brief period away from the sport.

Check the full list of black belts who have signed up here.

Sign up to watch the IBJJF 2016 European Championships live or on replay.