By Michael Sears 

The purple belt divisions begin competition at the 2018 Abu Dhabi World Pro on Tuesday, April 24, with the champion of each weight class winning $4,000 and second- and third-place finishers taking home $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Here's a deeper look at three of the top competitors to watch for in the purple belt ranks.

Watch the Abu Dhabi 2018 World Pro

When: April 24-28 | Start time: 1 AM CST daily

Thalison Soares 

Brazil | Cicero Costha | 56kg

The Cicero Costha prodigy known as “Little Miyao” has been on a rampage at the lightest weight since getting promoted to purple belt in 2016. Already a World Pro, Worlds, European, and Pan champ at purple belt, Soares has not lost in his weight category since he was a blue belt two years ago. Soares is currently the second-ranked overall purple belt in the 2017-18 season after gold medals at the Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Abu Dhabi Grand Slams. 

“I feel good heading into the World Pro,” he said. “I have been training at Unity in New York and also doing Crossfit. I’m very excited to compete in Abu Dhabi again.”

Cemil Karahan 

Sweden | Prana | 94kg

Karahan recently took first in the open class at the 2018 Europeans, submitting several opponents with his trademark “Kurdish Necktie” along the way. A regular top finisher on the European BJJ scene at purple belt, Karahan’s unconventional style of hunting for subs with collar chokes from any position leaves his opponents in constant danger of getting finished.

“I expect it to be tough, but I feel like this is my time to shine so I feel really good going into this tournament,” Karahan said. “Also I’m going into the competition with an incredible support from my team, my friends, and my family, so I am not worried.” 

Pedro Machado 

Brazil | Gordo | 85kg

Pedro Machado burst onto the scene when he won double gold as a blue belt at the 2017 World Championships. Machado has continued this success so far at the next level, winning the medium-heavyweight division at the 2018 Pans. The 18-year-old Rio de Janeiro native is no doubt one of the most promising prospects in the purple belt divisions.

“I’m really happy and grateful for being able to compete in such a big and well-structured event like the World Pro,” Machado said. “I’m getting ready to give my best, and it will be a huge honor to share the mat with amazing athletes.”

Others to watch: 

56kg: Johnif Rocha (Brazil/Cicero Costha), 

62kg: Diego Batista (Brazil/Cicero Costha), Lucas Rodrigues (Brazil/Atos), Jonas Andrade (Brazil/Cicero Costha) 

69kg: Andy Murasaki (Brazil/Atos), Italo Moura (Brazil/Cicero Costha) 

77kg: Alex Munis (Brazil/Clube Feijao), Jose Luna (Brazil/ Checkmat) 

85kg: Roberto Jimenez (USA/Alliance), Pete O’Neal (USA/Atos) 

94kg: Anderson Munis (Brazil/Clube Feijao) 

110kg: Pedro Pimenta (Brazil/GFT)