Continuing our look at this weekend's World Masters in Las Vegas, we're highlighting some of the talent expected to do big things in the black belt Master 2 division (ages 35 years and above). 

Light-Featherweight

Gabriel Wilcox (Carlson Gracie) is the two-time reigning world champion at this weight but has moved up to Masters 3 for 2017. Jeysen Santiago (Gracie Humaita) took third in 2016 and went on to finish first at this year's Pans. Bruno Lagares (De La Riva) has been active this year, finishing second at Brazilian Nationals and third at the Europeans.

Featherweight

Denilson Pimenta (GF Team) is the defending champion in this bracket. He also won this year's Brazilian Nationals and a world title in 2015 at Master 1. Hugo Azevedo (Checkmat) was the 2017 Pan champion and also finished third at Brazilian Nationals. Reigning European champion Andre Monteiro (A Force), 2015 world silver medalist Rodrigo Ranieri (Zenith), and 2015 Mater 1 world bronze medalist Samuel Braga (Gracie Barra) should be contenders at this weight as well.

Lightweight

Marcelo Motta (Prime JJ) finished second at this weight a year ago, losing to Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro in the final. Anderson Lobato (Monteiro) finished third in 2015 along with another bronze at the 2017 Pans. This weight will also include 2017 Pan champion Marcos Torregrosa (Yemaso), 2017 European champion Rogerio Suto (Impacto Japan), and 2017 Pan runner-up Bruno Alves (GF Team).

Middleweight

Alex Martins (AMBJJ) and Adriano Siva (Barbosa) have occupied the top two spots on the podium in the latest editions of Master Worlds and Pans at this weight. Martins took home gold at Worlds and silver at Pans, with Silva getting the world silver and Pan gold. Dennis Pinto (Fight Sports) finished third in 2016. At this year's Europeans, Pinto took home bronze in both his weight and the open division.

Medium-heavyweight

The 2016 Master Worlds saw Carlson Gracie teammates Rafael Abi-Rihan and Sergio "Canudo" Zimmerman close out in the final; however, neither competitor is registered in 2017. That might open the way for 2016 Master 1 bronze medalist Rodrigo Pinheiro (Gracie Humaita). Pinheiro also won this year's Europeans, took third at the Euro open division, and snagged another third-place finish at Pans. Omar Sabha (BTT) is this year's Pan champ. Thiago Silva (Barbosa) finished with a bronze medal at his weight and silver in the open division at Pans. Gustavo Campos (Atos) is jumping into the bracket this year and should be in contention for the top spot on the podium.

Heavyweight

The Master 2 heavy division returns two medalists from a year ago. Fabio Pinheiro (Barbosa) took third in 2016, while Fabricio Camoes (Gracie Humaita) finished second last year and third in 2015. Andre Bastos (Nova Uniao) was the 2017 European champion. Wagner Oliveira (GF Team) finished in third and second the last two years at Master 1. This year at Master 2, Oliveira brought home double gold at Brazilian Nationals.

Super-heavyweight

Diego Pereira (Ribeiro) finished in third at his weight and the open division a year ago. Brian Marvin (Gracie Barra) was the runner-up two years ago. This weight also includes Brazilian national champ Fabio Silva (Morumbi Academy) and that tournament's runner up, Arthur Sampaio (GF Team).

Ultra-heavyweight

Last year's silver medalist, Bruno Bastos (LEAD BJJ), returns for the 2017 Master Worlds. He will be joined by Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros (Brasa CTA), who won the 2017 Pans at this weight and age. Fabio Costa Jr. (Gracie Barra) won this year's Europeans and took third at Pans.

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