The brackets for the black belt absolute division have dropped and they promise one of the most exciting Worlds ever! 

Scroll down for the male and female black belt openweight brackets. 

Male black belt absolute

Page one of the bracket has got big names Felipe Pena, Joao Gabriel, Victor Honorio and the indomitable Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida. 

Buchecha will likely have to face Pena in a quarterfinal, but exactly who will make it into the semifinal from the other side of the bracket is uncertain. Of course there is Joao Gabriel Rocha, but Fellipe Andrew is both a technician and a finisher and cannot be counted out, while the explosive and dangerous Victor Honorio (who took absolute bronze in 2018) should also not be overlooked. 

On the second page you have Leandro Lo, Keenan Cornelius and Nicholas Meregali competing alongside Luiz Panza, Ricardo Evangelista and the little-known Eduardo "Duzao" Lopes, an ultra-heavyweight who poses problems with his physicality and strong base. 

Keenan and Meregali would have to face off in a quarterfinal should both advance, while Leandro has to contend with the likes of leglock specialist Luiz Panza and 2019 Pan champ Ricardo Evangelista. 

Female black belt absolute

The last time we saw a women's absolute bracket this balanced was back in 2016– after the Gabi Garcia era, and just prior to Tayane Porifirio's dominance. 

There are a few clear frontrunners for the later rounds– the smart money would always go on Nathiely de Jesus, Ana Carolina Vieira, Beatriz Mesquita and Luiza Monteiro to go far.

Natheily will likely walk into the semifinal but who she will face is unclear; it could be newcomer Gabi Mccomb or Gracie Barra's super-heavyweight Jessica Flowers. 

Beatriz Mesquita has slightly more of a challenge on her side of the bracket. Former World champ Luanna Alzuguir, Venla Luukkonen and Raquel Canuto are all on her side. It is easier to predict a quarterfinal between Luiza Monteiro and Ana Carolina Vieira. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE

The black belt absolute division starts approximately 10:40 am on Saturday June 1. The tournament begins on Saturday at approx 9:20 am local time.