Keen jiu-jitsu fans know that the purple belt divisions are the place to scout the next big thing in jiu-jitsu.

The matches are almost always high-risk, high-reward in action with a blistering pace and athletes who hit the podium here almost guaranteed to go on to have successful black belt careers. Hit the jump to find out which seven athletes we believe will make a major impact at the pyramid this weekend. 

Watch the 2019 IBJJF World Championships 

Live or On Demand | May 30-Jun 2 | Click for more

Erich Munis - Alliance -  # 1 Ranked Purple Belt - Heavyweight Division 

First Match: Friday, 1:14pm, Mat 12

Erich Munis is the top-ranked purple belt coming into the 2019 World Championships.  

He's taken double gold at Europeans, Pans,  and Brazilian Nations, and Gold at World Pro - frequently closing out the absolute division with his brother Anderson (#3 ranked purple belt).  His agile and creative guard is one of his strongest weapons. 

Ps. Definitely watch his brothers Anderson in the Purple belt heavyweight division and Alex in the brown belt middleweight division They are all contenders for gold.

Erich Munis vs Pedro Machado - 2019 Pan Absolute Final 

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Jessa Khan- Atos - Female Roosterweight

 First Match: Thursday, 5:17pm,  Mat 11

Though just in her first year in adult competition, AOJ's Jessa Khan has already made waves in the international circuit.  A European, Pans, World Pro Champ, Khan has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with and is a strong contender for gold at t worlds. 

Kahn's game is well-rounded and submission oriented – she's just as happy to berimbolo to the back as she is to hunt for the omoplata from closed guard. 

Meyram Alves - TLI - #5 Ranked Purple Belt 

First Match: Friday, 11:26 AM - Mat 7

Meyram Alves is our #5 ranked purple belt and competes in the featherweight division.

Alves is scrappy as they come and in a rarity for the weight class, likes to play on top and work his incredible passing game. His first match at Worlds is against Arturo Burros from Gracie fighter, and it will be the first of potentially many in the field of 67 athletes set to compete in the division. 

Elisabeth Clay - Ares BJJ -  Medium-Heavy

First Match: Friday, 03:47 PM - Mat 9

Elisabeth Clay is one of the most fearsome female purple belt competitors on the planet.  One of the youngest ever to Qualify for ADCC back in 2017, she's also Pan Double Gold champion (2018). 

We expect Clay to carry on her rivalry with Chloé McNallyy from Unity jiu-jitsu in the semi-final, the two most recently met at the  2019 Pans where Chloe to the win on points. 

Tainan Dalpra - Atos- #4 Ranked Purple Belt - Middleweight

First Match: Friday, 01:59 PM - Mat 6

Tainan Dalpra has been one of AOJ's top prospects since his days as a juvenile competitor, and his momentum shows zero signs of slowing. 

A 2019 European, Pan, and Abu Dhabi World Champ – look for Tainan's well-rounded game to Carry him through to yet another World's final appearance. 

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

---

Jansen Gomes - Checkmat - #8  Ranked Purple Belt

Jansen Gomes hails from the Cantagalo favela in Rio de Janeiro, the same location as Checkmat star Jackson Sousa. Jiu-jitsu runs in the family; his older brother is brown belt Jonata Gomes, and his father Antonio Carlos is a black belt instructor in the team. 

Now based in Los Angeles, Gomes trains under the supervision of Checkout founder Leo Vieira as part of the "Rising Stars" talent development program.  He's claimed a silver medal at the 2019 Pan Championsips and one a slew of open tournaments.

Pedro Machado - R1NG Jiu-Jitsu - #2 Ranked Purple Belt - Medium-Heavy

First Match Friday,11:35 AM– Mat 9

Pedro Machado has already collected gold medals at the European and Pan Championships this year; he's also a silver medalist and the notoriously challenging Brazilan National Championships. 

Representing Gordo's new team, R1NG jiu-jitsu Machado has a mesmerizing blend of new and old technique and is one to keep an eye on.