Just about two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of competing in one of the biggest BJJ tournaments of my life – the 2024 ADCC World Championships.

For the better part of the last two decades, America's "Meccas" of Brazilian jiu-jitsu have been concentrated in a handful of locations: New York City, Baltimore, South Florida, and Southern California. In the last three years, following the COVID-era relocations, the ascendance of the Tackett Brothers, and the arrival of B-Team and New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, Austin, Texas became a de facto hub of elite jiu-jitsu, especially for no-gi jiu-jitsu.

The ADCC World Championships are coming up in a matter of days and the divisions are as stacked as ever, including at -88kg. The biggest story at this weight will be the return of champion Giancarlo Bodoni, the only returning 2022 medalist at the weight, and whether or not he can defend his title. If he manages to do it, he will cement his legacy as not just the best in the world right now but one of the best to ever do it.

In the eighth edition of Submission Only Series, Ryan Aitken of 10th Planet Atlanta tore through a tough 16-man bracket to take home the $5,000 grand prize. A Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, Aitken impressively submitted all four of his opponents, including an ADCC veteran. While Aitken no doubt stole the show, Derek Rayfield and Kenta Iwamoto also displayed impressive submission skills, Rayfield finding a Dead Orchard finish in the opening round.

More than 1,000 athletes have been reduced to just 160 at day one of the ADCC West Coast Trials. Today, we'll identify the seven stars who punch their tickets to the ADCC World Championships in September.