Early Look: The DEEP Featherweight Division Coming To Worlds
Early Look: The DEEP Featherweight Division Coming To Worlds
There's no other way to say it: the featherweight division is going to be shockingly competitive at the 2022 IBJJF World Championships.
Though we are still in the early days of the registration period for the IBJJF 2022 World Championship, a quick scan of the competitor's list reveals that the black belt featherweight division is shaping up to be one of the toughest brackets of the tournament.
Watch The IBJJF 2022 World Championships LIVE on FloGrappling June 1-4.
All Eyes On Returning Champ Fabricio Andrey
Returning 2021 World Champ Fabricio Andrey should be the man to watch in this one - the Fight Sports representative has been focused on no-gi competition for most of the year but given his performance at the Worlds, there’s no doubt he should be considered the favorite of the division.
But it won't be easy.
2021 Feathweright Final: Andrey Submits Jamil Hill-Taylor
Alexssandro Sodre: Lasso Guard Machine
The 2022 Pan Champion and 2021 Worlds bronze medalist Alexssandro Sodre has consistently made his presence known in the featherweight category, utilizing his dangerous lasso guard and skillful tactics to stifle even the most game competitors. Though his brother Raimundo Sodre has yet to register, the duo have been terrifying the category all season long.
Alexssandore Sodre vs Isaac Doederlien 2022 Pan Championships
Can One Of These Vets Claw Their Way To Their First World Title?
Photo: Leonardo Saggiro (Left) & Marcio Andre (right)
Perennial contenders Leonardo Saggioro and Marcio Andre are also in the mix, and considering both their extensive experience and skillsets, it's easy to see why nobody is looking forward to standing across the tatami from these men. Both athletes are two-time silver medalists at the World Championships, with Andre earning a spot in the finals in 2016 & 2019 and Saggioro placing second in 2017 & 2018.
Other key names to look out for include Gabriel Sousa, Richar Nogueira, Israel Alemida, and Jonata Gomes - all of whom have the capabilities to shock the world and capture a world title on the right day.
Key names missing from the category as of publishing include Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor, Issac Doederlein, Kennedy Maciel, and Samuel Nagai among others, but they have two weeks left to complete their registration.
Fetherweight Category as of 5/6/2022
Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu | Matheus Yudi Onda |
Brazilian Top Team Int. | Leonardo Fernandes Saggioro |
CheckMat | Jonata Gomes Ramos |
Clube Feijão de Jiu-Jitsu | Alexssandro Pinto Sodré |
Fight Sports Brasil | Fabricio Andrey Batista Junior |
G13 BJJ USA | Thiago Cintra Vieira Brito |
GF Team | Israel de Sousa Almeida |
Gracie Barra America | AJ Agazarm |
Guigo JJ | Marlus Salgado de Souza |
Marcio Andre Association | Marcio Andre da Costa Barbosa Junior |
Movement Art | Nicholas S Salles |
PSLPB Cicero Costha | Giovanni Marcelo da Silva Carvalho |
Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ | Richar Emiliano Nogueira |
ZR Team NC | João Gabriel Batista de Sousa |