By Michael Sears

The ultra-competitive country qualifiers for the black belt divisions at the 2018 Abu Dhabi World Pro will take place on Thursday, April 26.

The top-ranked athlete from every country is automatically qualified for the main bracket, while the rest of the competitors will fight it out in the qualifier bracket for the second available spot.

This creates a log jam of sorts at certain weights for the Brazilians, with some of the qualifiers arguably being tougher than the main bracket. Here’s a preview of some of the tougher brackets.

Male 85kg

Already qualified: Isaque Bahiense (Alliance)

Notable entries in qualifier: Claudio Calasans (Atos), Patrick Gaudio (GFTeam), Charles Negromonte (Roger Gracie), Renato Canuto (Zenith), Tarsis Humphreys (Alliance), Gustavo Batista (Atos)

The 85 kg Brazilian qualifier is ridiculously stacked, with four-time World Pro champion Claudio Calasans needing four victories for a chance to defend his 2017 title in the main bracket. 

Isaque Bahiense, the top-ranked Brazilian athlete at 85kg is already through. 

2018 Abu Dhabi King of Mats Charles Negromonte is riding high after a victory over Andre Galvao on Tuesday, but will have to defeat former World Pro champion Tarsis Humpreys in his first match and then most likely Calasans just to make the final of the qualifier.

The other side is not any easier, as 2017 World silver medalist Gaudio is looking at an early matchup with Gustavo Batista, who recently closed out Pans with his Atos teammate Lucas Barbosa. The winner could then potentially meet Renato Canuto in the semi. 

Female 62kg

Already Qualified: Larissa Paes (Palms Sports)

Notable entries in qualifier: Beatriz Mesquita (Gracie Humaita), Luiza Monteiro (Atos), Bianca Basilio (JFC Almeida), Nadia Melo (Palms Sports)

The female 62 kg qualifier will be a four woman round robin bracket, with all athletes fighting each other to sort out the qualification. 

Beatriz Mesquita (white) vs Luiza Monteiro at the 2017 World Pro. They will meet again. 

Two world champions are present in Mesquita and Monteiro, and in fact these women were the final at Worlds 2017, with Monteiro winning by DQ. They will be the first match in the round robin. Don’t count out two-time World Pro runner up and ADCC 2017 silver medalist Bianca Basilio, who could certainly knock off the World champs and advance to the main bracket.

Notes: 

• Leonardo Saggioro (BTT) is coming off a spectacular King of Mats performance where he defeated Gianni Grippo in the final, but will have to avenge previous losses against Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) to qualify at 69kg.
• The 62 kg round robin will have a rematch of the 2018 Pans final, with Joao Miyao (Cicero Costha) and Pablo Mantovani (Atos) scheduled to meet in the qualifier.
• 94 and 110kg qualifying brackets are expected to have a pair of marquee matchups, with World Pro champion Felipe Pena (Gracie Barra) and Jackson Souza (Checkmat) registered at 94kg while Erberth Santos (Esquadrao) and Mahamed Aly (Lloyd Irvin) in at 110.
• 2017 World champions Ana Talita Alencar (Alliance) and Ana Carolina Vieira (GFTeam) will have to fight through qualifying brackets at 55 and 70kg.

Watch the Abu Dhabi 2018 World Pro

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