In the absences of heavy hitters Erberth Santos and Leandro Lo, the door is wide open for a new name to win the Brazilian Nationals black belt absolute title in Sao Paulo this weekend. 

The sheer amount of black belts who have signed up for “Brasileiros” is insane. There are 263 male black belts in the adult divisions, meaning that there will be no shortage of entrants for the absolute division when it goes down on Saturday, May 5. The division will run up to the semifinals, with the finale taking place on Sunday, May 6. 

Here’s a quick rundown of who could take gold in the adult male black belt absolute division (names presented in alphabetical order). 

Fellipe Andrew

Zenith | Heavyweight 

Andrew was one of the participants in the absolute division at Pans in March, and he started strong by beating Atos rep Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa in the opening match before losing to eventual silver medalist Gutemberg Pereira. A dangerous leg locker, the heavyweight has both the requisite size and power to hang with the big boys. 

Lucas Barbosa. Photo: Hywel Teague

Lucas Barbosa 

Atos | Medium Heavyweight 

European openweight champion Lucas Barbosa is renowned for his physicality and his ability to meet any competitor head on, regardless of size. His Pans experience aside, he did take gold in the medium heavyweight division. This is the first time we’ve seen him compete in Brazil for a while and so will be interesting to see him return to his roots. “Hulk” has never won Brazilian Nationals as a black belt. 

Victor Honorio 

GF Team (Registered as Qatar BJ) | Ultra Heavyweight 

The ultra heavyweight Honorio—from Rio de Janeiro but now based in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar—is a physical monster who can deadlift 500lb yet he moves like a lightweight (see his flying guard passes for evidence). He's a strong candidate to make it to the podium. 

Gabriel “Fedor” Lucas

Checkmat | Ultra Heavyweight

The world champ Lucas is another big man who moves well. He was a Brazilian national champion as a brown belt, and the Chemat black belt from Espirito Santo stands a good chance of making it to the later rounds once again.

Rudson Mateus

CTA | Medium Heavyweight 

The CTA black belt from Manaus is one of the newest black belts on the list. He’s had a few superfight victories this year so far and took a bronze medal at Pans, but the pressure and level of the Brazilian Nationals is a big test for any black belt regardless of what stage they’re at in their career. Considering he has 30 people in his division, he may save his energy and skip the absolute. 

Read: Rudson Mateus: The Newcomer Who Plays Old-School

Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling

Kitner Moura

IFC Life Brothers | Ultra heavyweight

The big man from Brazil Kitner Moura is no stranger to absolute divisions. The ultra heavyweight poses a huge problem for any opponent thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and very solid jiu-jitsu. Moura is rarely a prospect to be the overall winner, but he's a huge challenge for anyone who eyes that prize. 

Nicholas Meregali 

Alliance | Super Heavyweight

Superstar black belt Nicholas Meregali returns for the first time since winning the World Championship in 2017 when he shocked the world by beating Leandro Lo in the final of the heavyweight division. Now back at super heavy, Meregali may or may not risk his physical health so close to Worlds, but if he does, he is one to watch closely thanks to his intense focus and dazzling technical skills. 

Watch: Nicholas Meregali guard passing highlight

Otavio Nalati 

Team Lloyd Irvin Brazil | Ultra Heavyweight

The biggest and heaviest black belt on the competition circuit, man-mountain Otavio Nalati (who’s big heart matches his size) is a regular face in the absolute divisions. Hailing from Sao Paulo, he has a home advantage and is a tough man to beat. 

Igor Schneider 

NS Brotherhood | Super Heavyweight

Nicknamed “Tigrao” and a teammate of Leandro Lo, Schneider is a mobile and athletic big man who performed extremely well at Worlds last year, passing Buchecha’s guard at one stage in the tournament. Another Sao Paulo local, he’ll be one with plenty of crowd support for this event, considered one of the biggest of the year. 

Watch: Igor Schneider vs. Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida at 2017 World Championships

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Dimitrius Souza

Alliance | Heavyweight

The Alliance stalwart Souza is one of the most consistent competitors on the Brazilian circuit, regularly placing gold or silver in almost every IBJJF tournament worth entering. Only Erberth Santos regularly beats him, and with the absence of the 2017 super-heavyweight world champ, Souza is a good bet for getting to the later rounds.