The ADCC Women's -55kg division showcases a lineup of elite grapplers from around the globe, each bringing a unique set of skills and accolades to the mat. ADCC World Championships 2024 begins at 1:00 p.m. EDT, with matches beginning at 1:45 p.m. EDT.

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 nearly here and 2024 will be one of the most exciting years for the women's divisions ever. The tournament has expanded from two to three divisions and will feature an absolute bracket for eight standouts to compete in. The -55kg division is set to feature eight of the best from around the world who will clash to figure out who will write their names in the history books.

ADCC is not a jiu-jitsu tournament - it is a grappling tournament that more heavily mixes in a bias for wrestling and competing on the feet. Where past years may have been full of collar-tie push/pull marathons, those grapplers have largely been lapped by a more aggressive and technical generation of stars who fight for the takedown in a more exciting way.

Alex Enriquez, currently sitting at no.6 in FloGrappling’s 125-pound ranking, has been steadily climbing in the professional jiu-jitsu spotlight since the tail end of 2021. Since being promoted to black belt under featherweight legend, Bruno Frazatto, in December 2021, Enriquez has established herself as a serious contender in the women’s divisions between 120-130 pounds.

The ADCC made an enormous change this week, announcing the women's weight classes will be reclassified from -60kg and +60kg to -55kg, -65kg, and +65kg. This has totally shaken up the board for the upcoming Trials and next year's World Championships. Every athlete involved has a decision to make on going up or down, and it will benefit some more than others. Here are 13 athletes on the cusp on contention that the move could potentially hugely benefit.

Nicholas Meregali, one of the top Brazalian jiu-jitsu heavyweights in the world, will face Tezos WNO no-gi light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho in the main event at WNO 18: Meregali vs. Marinho on May 18 at the Criterion in Oklahoma City.

For the first time since January 2020, gi competition is returning to Tezos WNO on May 18 in Oklahoma City, OK.

The 2022 ADCC 88kg World Champion Giancarlo Bodoni is getting his moment in the spotlight. On January 31, FloSports will release the feature length documentary, Becoming Dangerous: The Rise of Giancarlo Bodoni (more on that below). But first, breaking news about Bodoni, who has just signed to face the Tezos WNO light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho in the co-main event at Tezos WNO: Ryan vs Pena II.

This weekend, eight women faced off in two round robins and a final for the 125lb Finishers strap and $2,000 in Bethlehem, PA. Atos black belt Alex Enriquez collected three quick subs in her pool, while 10th Planet black belt Grace Gundrum did the same in hers. The two young phenoms faced off in a cautious back and forth match, where Enriquez was able to win by ridetime.

This Sunday, eight women will face off in the Finishers Only 125 lb Grand Prix, for $2,000 and the 125 belt. There will be two round robin pools where the winner of each will battle in the finals.

The IBJJF European Championships returns later this month, and with it, the 2023 IBJJF grand slam season. The four major events that make up the grand slam — Euros, Pans, Brasileiros and Worlds — are some of the most renowned in the jiu-jitsu universe. But to win each of them in the same year is a feat that few have ever managed, especially at the black belt level.

This past weekend at Finisher’s HQ in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the 17th edition of Finisher’s Submission Only featured two riveting women’s title fights and a 16-man, $2,000 cash prize lightweight bracket.

Tomorrow, sixteen lightweight pros will be in action at 10th Planet Finishers HQ in Bethlehem, PA, battling for their shot at the Finisher’s 155lb. title belt and a $2,000 cash prize including headlining names like the No-Gi Pan Champion Corbe brothers, Deandre and Gavin, and 15-year-old purple pelt phenom Jett Thompson. As if the 16-man tournament weren’t a convincing enough draw for viewers, the women of Atos ATL will be bringing the heat, represented in both the 105lb and 135lb Woman’s Title Fights!

Many familiar and unfamiliar names will enter their bid for the IBJJF No-Gi Pans Championships this weekend. While athletes may still move between divisions, whatever way the women’s divisions shape up is sure to deliver exciting matches in both brown and black belt divisions.