Guam is set to become the center of the jiu-jitsu world this Sunday at the 11th edition of the Marianas Open.

The level of competition is staggering: returning champions Felipe Pena and Isaque Bahiense will be on hand to defend their belts. We've also got hungry challengers like Lucas Hulk, Jackson Sousa, and Gilbert Burns, plus local talent, eager to make a name for themselves on the international level.  

Watch Marianas Open LIVE on FloGrappling

Date: Sunday, April 22 | Time: 10 AM GMT + 10

Read on to find out more about the opening matches that we're seriously pumped about. (See the full brackets here)

Gilbert Burns vs. Masahiro Iwasaki – 181lbs

Gilbert Burns is a three-time world champion (one-time gi, two-time no-gi), ADCC bronze medalist, and as evidenced three days ago at UFC Fight Night: Glendale, a man with some serious power in those hands.  

13-2 (5 knockouts, 7 Submissions, 1 Decision) Ready to be on the top 15 July 7th @ufc Fight week let’s make it happen @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc @AliAbdelaziz00 pic.twitter.com/YG034Zahpl

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 15, 2018

Thankfully for Masahiro, Gilbert will only be limited to his grappling skill set, which is terrifying enough as it is. Expect explosive wrestling and a relentless top game from Burns.

Masahiro Iwasaki has proven he's a force to be reckoned with: He upset Edwin Najmi and Renato Canuto at the European Championships and took Michael Langhi the distance in the final, only narrowly losing that match by a lone advantage. Exceptionally durable, Masahiro has a strong base and solid stand-up skills.  

Masahiro Iwasaki vs. Edwin Najmi – European Championships

The winner of this match will face the victor of Isaque Bahiense vs TBD. 

Servio Tulio vs. Andris Brunovskis – 181lbs

Andris Brunosvkis is one of Atos’ most talented athletes in the lighter weight classes. A Marianas Open veteran, Brunoskis has had success at the highest levels of competition with his unorthodox approach and crafty guard. He’s an omoplata specialist and one of the driving forces behind all the of the lapel innovation coming out of the Atos camp.

Andris Brunovski: Omoplata From Lasso Guard

Servio Tulio is a Felipe Pena student who was promoted to black belt after taking first place at No-Gi Worlds in December. The Belo Horizonte, Brazil, native has also spent extensive time training in the United States with Romulo Barral and the team of monsters over at Gracie Barra Northridge. Tulio is well rounded and absolutely lethal with his back takes and submission attacks. He took first place last year in the brown belt division at the Marianas Open and will be looking to follow up his performance in the most elite division.

REWIND: Servio Tulio Takes $1,000 At 2017 Marianas Open

Jackson Sousa vs Mahamed Aly – 181lbs+

Mahamed Aly is primetime TV every time he steps on the mats. The Team Lloyd Irvin representative doesn’t know how to have a boring match: He’s got an explosive stand-up game, the passing abilities of a roosterweight, and an exceptional guard—and he’ll need all of these tools to pull off a win against Jackson Sousa.

Mahamed Aly vs. Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu

Sousa, one of the most experienced competitors in the event, also knows how to bring the heat. Owner of a devastating footsweep and excellent wrestling, we’re looking forward to Jackson bringing a challenge to Mahamed on the feet. It seems likely that Jackson will do everything he can to remain on top, as Mahamed has a clear size advantage going into the match.

 The winner of this match will face the victor of Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa vs. Eric Siam.

Tanner Rice vs. Viking Wong

Another excellent match from the Marianas Open features European Championships bronze medalist Viking Wong against Pans silver medalist Tanner Rice. Both athletes are veterans of the Marianas Open: Rice took second place to Felipe Pena last year, while Wong suffered an early loss to Isaque Bahiense and will be looking to come back stronger this time around.

Submission Of The Night: Tanner Rice's Estima Lock

It's interesting to note that Wong has opted to move up in weight—he took silver in the lightweight division at Euros and competed last year in the sub-181lb division at the Marianas Open. We're curious to see how the jump up in competition will affect Wong's game.