Here's a quick rundown of what has changed for the 2019 ADCC World Championships, which goes down in September. 

Dillon Danis moves from -77kg up to -99kg, a whole 22kg (48.5lb) difference. No, he's not that big. Danis competed at ADCC In 2015 at 77kg and the weight cut went horribly and he lost to Garry Tonon in a disappointing performance. He returned at ADCC in 2017 at 88kg and looked incredible, going to a razor-thin decision against Gordon Ryan in his opening match and later coming back for some spectacular tussles in the absolute division. 

The reason for Danis skipping his usual weight class and moving up to tangle with the big boys is because Unity Jiu-Jitsu school owner Murilo Santana in already in at 88kg. That's where Dillon trains day-in, day-out when he's in New York, and ADCC will seed teammates no later than the second round meaning they'd be forced to fight, and neither of them wants that. 

Danis training at Unity with Paulo Miyao – watch the video

Dillon estimates he'll only weigh around 189lb, which is 85.7kg. Out of respect for Santana, he'll have to face off with athletes who will be cutting down to 99kg (218lb). 

Of course, there are a couple of opportunities for revenge waiting for Danis at this new weight division. Gordon Ryan, 88kg champ in 2017, has moved up a division. A second match between them would be compelling viewing, especially  given Gordon's increased physical stature. Danis will also be in the mix with Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa and Luiz Panza, who both beat Danis via points at IBJJF Worlds in 2017 (weight division and absolute). 

Dante Leon comes in at 77kg. The Canadian powerhouse has impressed with terrific no-gi performances at KASAI event, beating both Edwin Najmi and Matheus Lutes by submission and going down to the wire with Renato Canuto is an explosive match that could be a contender for match of the year. 

Leon has an excellent style for ADCC. He is pound-for-pound one of the strongest grapplers in any weight class and can wrestle with anyone, but his flexible and agile bottom game sees him invert and spin underneath his opponents for leg attacks or wrestle-up reversals. He'll potentially face both Edwin and Renato again, as both are already in at 77kg. 

European Trials winner Zaur Akhmedov (RUS) couldn't get a visa to visit the United States, so has been replaced with Matheus Gabriel (BRA), who trains at Checkmat. He's the first-year black belt featherweight who won both Pans and Worlds this year in the gi, stunning the world with wins over everybody from Marcio Andre and Jamil Hill-Taylor to Queixinho and Kennedy Maciel. He has yet to show the same form in no-gi though– the last time he took off the gi was in December of 2018 at IBJJF World No-Gi where he lost via first round technical submission (choked out cold) to Kennedy Maciel. 

Asia-Oceania Trials Winner: Jacob Malkoun (AUS) is OUT of the 99kg division. There remains one spot left to fill– ADCC organizers are looking for an American, preferably. Any suggestions? 

See the full list of confirmed competitors at the 2019 ADCC World Championships