The annual 2018 World Master Jiu Jitsu Championship showcases the sport’s best competitors over the age of 30 and includes many athletes still at the elite level. 

One of the largest tournaments in the world, “Masters Worlds” will utilize 21 mats over the four days of the tournament. Here’s a look at what can be expected in the Master 1 divisions (+30) on Wednesday August 22. 

Karen Antunes

The women’s divisions at Master 1 will see an impressive turnout this year, with two current adult World champions registering in Claudia Do Val (De La Riva) and Karen Antunes (Checkmat). Claudia has won Worlds two years in a row along with nearly every other major tournament, and is currently the no.5-ranked woman in our pound-for-pound rankings. 

No.8-ranked Karen Antunes had an incredible return to competition in 2018 after giving birth in 2017, winning both Worlds and Pans as a new mother and putting in her best ever year as a competitor. She’s registered at featherweight, the division in which she reigned as World champion earlier this year. 

Joining the two reigning World champs in the women’s divisions will be elite competitors such as Talita Nogueira (NS Brotherhood), Jena Bishop (Gracie Humaita), Heather Raftery (Atos) and Kristina Barlaan (Caio Terra).

Vitor Oliveira

Vitor Oliveira (GF Team) has won this event two years in a row and put on a show in 2017, hitting big throws in every match on his way to gold. Oliveira is another athlete who had a great showing in the adult division this year, finishing in third place at both the Worlds and Pans. Last year Vitor had to get through Josh Hinger in the final. Should he win the 39 athlete deep medium-heavyweight bracket this year he will most likely have to defeat DJ Jackson (Lloyd Irvin).

Queixinho and teammate Diego Bispo in 2017

Osvaldo ‘Queixinho’ Moizinho (Ares) is also looking to win a third straight World Master title, and like Oliveira finished third at this year’s Worlds and Pans in the adult division. Queixinho closed out featherweight with teammate Diego Bispo the last two years but is registered at lightweight this year. 2016 Master Worlds lightweight champ Marcelo Mafra (Checkmat) will also be present in this 56-man bracket, along with current Abu Dhabi World Pro runner-up Jake Mackenzie (GF Team).

Rafael Formiga (blue gi)

The master 1 middleweight division contains 59 athletes including two former World Master champs in Rafael ‘Formiga”’ Barbosa (Soul Fighters) and Bruno Alves (ZR Team). The two athletes met last year in the semifinal with Alves getting the victory. 2011 World champ Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns (Zenith) is a huge addition to this division and should challenge Alves and Barbosa for the title, along with Eduardo Rios (Frontline) and Caio Almeida (Atos).

• 2017 silver-medalist Andre Porto (Frontline) and bronze-medalist Juan Lopes (Carlson Gracie) return in the roosterweight division. Lopes also finished second in 2016.
• Rafael ‘Barata’ Freitas (Gracie Barra), Jose Tiago Barros (Cicero Costha) and Rene Lopes (Brasa CTA) should contend at light-featherweight.
• Diego Bispo looking to win a third straight World Master title, possibly another closeout with Ares teammate Samir Chantre in at featherweight.
• 2010 World Champion Tarsis Humphreys (Alliance) is registered in the 49 athlete heavyweight division.
• Returning World Master champ James Puopolo (Ribeiro) is in at super-heavyweight along with Joao Assis (Checkmat) and Eliot Kelly (Yemaso).
• Igor Silva (GFTeam), Joseph Moku (Beyond) and Dany Gerard (Atos) should battle it out for the title at ultra-heavyweight.

The IBJJF will host the 2018 World Master Jiu Jitsu Championship in Las Vegas from August 22-25. Watch every mat and every match LIVE or On Demand ONLY on FloGrappling.