Well folks, 2019 is wrapping up and the holidays are growing closer every day. But before we can declare 2018 officially in the books we've got one of the biggest tournaments of the year to attend to ...and what a tournament it is.

Saying this year's IBJJF World No-Gi Championships is "stacked" is not only an understatement, it's criminal. I haven't seen this many high level black belts since last year's ADCC and this may even have that beat! From rooster weight to ultra heavyweight these division have never been more competitive.

Now, if you're like me, you've been beefing up you Amazon wish list ahead of the holiday season. Gift guides and wish lists, it's hard not to get in the spirit. 

So we here at FloGrappling decided to get one of our own Christmas wish lists going. Hywel, Chase and I each cooked up our own offering to the grappling gods in hopes that they would hear us. These are the three matches we have on our No-Gi Worlds Wish List.

Watch the IBJJF 2018 No-Gi World Championships LIVE Dec. 14-16 Live on FloGrappling

Hywel's Pick

Kennedy Maciel vs Frank Rosenthal | Black Belt Featherweight 

Kennedy is one of the competitors I'm most excited to see at No-Gi Worlds, especially as this is his first major tournament as a black belt. Even though he still carries the title of "Cobrinha's son" I expect him to start forging his own name from here on out. While there's no harm in being part of that legacy, he deserves to be distinguished in his own right.

Maciel has proved again and again that he's a special talent, but his success didn't come easy. He's had his ups and downs, and matured well over the course of his colored belt career. I can't even imagine the pressure of what it must be like to follow in his father's footsteps.

A great potential match would be between Kennedy and Frank Rosenthal, one of John Danaher's "junior" squad members. Rosenthal has been steadily rising up the ranks and seeing as Maciel holds a submission win over Rosenthal's teammate Nicky Ryan (albeit two years ago, in Dec 2016) this is a chance for Rosenthal to get one back for the team. There's always a lot on the line but things get interesting when you shoulder the responsibility of repping your team. 

Chase's Pick

Gianni Grippo vs Dustin Akbari | Black Belt Lightweight

Creating a single dream matchup from the black belt lightweight division is a task.  There are no less than ten killers in the division of 22, including personal favorites John Combs, Masahiro Iwasaki, Johnny Tama, and Jeremiah Vance who all can light up the stop.  

But if the bracketing gods were to grant me one wish – I’d like to see Gianni Grippo run it back with Dustin Akbari.  

While there isn’t any bad blood – both men are consummate professionals – there was certainly a bad taste left in the mouth of Akbari after the tough fight at Fight 2 Win 38 back in July of 2017.  The ref thought Akbari, tapped, he says no way, and the video seems to verify Akbari’s claims.

“For the record, I didn’t tap. I have no problem admitting [it] if I did. Gianni, Let’s run it again, I hope that’s not what you consider a legitimate win. Beat me like a man!"

Controversial finishes aside, the real reason to watch this matchup again is the guaranteed high volume, submission oriented match.  That last line may have some people scratching their heads: Gianni’s work-rate is unquestionable, but it is true that the Marcelo Garcia black belt more or less always wins by points.  

This is the spice that Akbari brings, the Ares black belt is willing to open his game, force unique scenarios, and fight for the sub. All actions that can for or against him, but universally benefit the fans.  

Expect a fight for the top position from Akbari, clever wrestling and foot sweeps, and unique leglock attacks with an emphasis on toeholds. Expect more of the same from Grippo, he’s got a true and tested formula of forcing the 50/50 and working the pass or taking the back.  

Reid's Pick

Gordon Ryan vs Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu | Black Belt Ultra Heavyweight

Now If I’m being honest, usually this isn’t the division I’m looking forward to most. Typically I’m salivating at the prospects of a wide open middleweight or lightweight division, but this year ultra heavy is clearly the division to watch. Gordon Ryan threw his name in the pool back in October and since then the division has exploded. As of now the division consists of Judo Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii, ADCC Veteran Jared Dopp, 2x ADCC Champion Yuri Simoes, Rickson Gracie black Belt Kevin Casey and the surging ADCC Trials Champion Tex Johnson just to name a few.

But the one match that I’m crossing my fingers we see more than any other, Gordon Ryan vs the defending Ultra heavyweight No-Gi World Champion Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu. This match has it all for me, two elite athletes, a world title on the line and even a little bit of smack talk. How could you now be excited about this one?

Of course these two met back in 2017 at ADCC. En route to a silver medal and after claiming gold at 88kg Gordon submitted Abreu in the quarter finals of the absolute division. But that was in “Gordon’s world” and not many have been more successful in IBJJF competition than Cyborg’ Abreu. He’ll be going for his sixth No-Gi World title over the weekend, a feat that would launch him into elite company. Gordon Ryan however will be going for his first No-Gi World Title at black belt and make no mistake about it, this time he’ll be stepping into “Cyborg’s world”.

And maybe it’s the childhood WWE fan in me but when these two traded barbs on social media recently it piqued my interest even more. Honestly I forget the full exchange, they debated briefly about respect… or disrespect maybe? Anyway it was the last sentence that stuck with me, Cyborg wrote “And you can bet I’ll be ready for you.”

To me that sounds like a challenge… and I can’t wait for it!