Hulk returns to defend his titles in the super-heavyweight division and open class after putting together a terrific year already in the gi, in which he achieved the IBJJF Grand Slam.

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

L-R: Patrick Gaudio, Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa, Luiz Panza and Kaynan Duarte

Four-time World No-Gi champ Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa (Atos) put in one of the most dominant performances in No-Gi Worlds history in 2017, submitting five out of six opponents on his way to double gold. Hulk has never lost at this event, and holds a 13-0 record with seven submissions over his career at No-Gi Worlds. 

Hulk’s Atos teammate and rookie black belt Kaynan Duarte has dominated this tournament over the last two years at the colored belts, winning his weight and the open class at both purple and brown. The 20-year-old Duarte already competed at the 2017 ADCC while still a teenager and finished second at the 2018 Pan No-Gi open class to Gordon Ryan. An Atos closeout at super-heavyweight would not be a bad bet, and both Barbosa and Duarte should be in contention for open class gold.

Footlock specialist Luiz Panza (Checkmat) could get in the way of the Atos teammates closing out at super-heavyweight. Panza tapped his way through the super-heavyweight division in 2016, and also has won double gold at the Pan No-Gi and Brasileiro No-Gi as a black belt.

Patrick Gaudio (GF Team) has been on the podium at Worlds in the gi three years in a row, including second place finishes in 2017 and 2018. Gaudio has amassed an impressive amount of medals from IBJJF grand slam tournaments over the last few years, but has not been as active in No-Gi. Hulk and Gaudio have an extensive history against each other at black belt, with Barbosa holding the edge 3-2 in the series. In Patrick’s lone match against Duarte in the 2017 ADCC trials, Duarte came out on top.

Also contending in the super-heavyweight bracket should be James Puopolo (Ribeiro) and Elliot Kelly (Yemaso). Both men are ADCC vets who have been on the podium at No-Gi Worlds before. Puopolo finished third in 2015 and 2010, and Kelly was the runner-up in 2013.

IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 

Dec 14-16 | 9:00am PST start time each day | Click for more