Inside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Tournament results, athlete spotlights, and championship coverage, all in one spot!
Daniel Formiga
Georgina Contel
Tamara Toros
Luca Poletti
Simone Auricchio
Xavier Bas Establishes Himself Among the Best in AJP TOUR Pro Jiu-Jitsu
During the 2024–2025 AJP TOUR Pro Jiu-Jitsu season, Spain’s Xavier Bas has emerged as one of the leading names in the Master 1 Black Belt division, topping the national ranking and gaining international recognition thanks to his consistency in some of the circuit’s most demanding events.
Representing CFC Team and originally from Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bas balances his competitive career with teaching at his academy, bringing years of high-level experience back to the mats and contributing to the growth of jiu-jitsu in Spain.
His season has been defined by both strategic victories and fast finishes. At events such as the Madrid International and the Spain National, he secured composed wins on points, showing control and strong fight management. At the same time, he demonstrated his finishing ability with standout submissions: a tap in 1:42 at the Italy National, another in 0:56 at the Europe Continental, and an explosive 0:29 submission at the Barcelona International, one of his fastest victories of the season.
These performances highlight a well-rounded athlete who can dictate the pace of a match or capitalize instantly when an opening appears. Xavier Bas’ consistency not only strengthens his ranking position but also reflects the continued rise of Spanish jiu-jitsu on the international stage.
Mia Montesinos confirms confirms her rise in the professional ranks
Mia Montesinos continues to make her mark on the international jiu-jitsu scene. After being crowned Youth World Champion, the Spanish athlete has made a powerful leap into the professional circuit, climbing into the top three of the world rankings and proving that her talent knows no limits.
Her 2025 season kicked off with an electrifying debut at ADXC 9, where she dominated the mat and secured a submission victory in record time. Since then, Mia has imposed her style in every tournament: precise attacks, rapid submissions, and total control over her opponents in both gi and no-gi.
Facing high-level competitors, including familiar rivals like Shamma Alkalbani and Maria Barna, Mia has shown adaptability and strategic mastery, winning both by points and by submission. Her versatility also shines across different weight categories, always maintaining an outstanding level of performance.
With every victory, Mia proves that her transition to the professional stage is not just successful, it’s a statement. She’s ready to compete among the world’s best, leaving her mark with her technique, determination, and unmistakable presence on every mat she steps onto.
Walid Mahmoud tops the AJP Italy Ranking this season
Walid Mahmoud has established himself as the top athlete in the AJP Italy Ranking in the Men’s White Belt division, finishing the season with 3,000 points. His consistency and performance throughout each tournament secured him the first place in Italy.
Throughout the season, Mahmoud competed in both international and national events, showcasing his versatility and strategic skill. Among his most notable results:
Italy National 2024: silver medal in White / Amateur / 62 kg, defeating opponents such as Hakeem Haydadi and Noah Maicher by points.
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rome – Amateurs: bronze medal in Featherweight, with victories on points over Marwan Belhadj and Lorenzo Tito.
Pisa International: solid fourth place, reinforcing his top ranking position.
Thanks to these achievements, Mahmoud not only leads in Italy but is also currently fifth in France and eighteenth in Europe, reflecting a season marked by consistency, preparation, and commitment across the AJP Tour international circuit.
Andrade Sets the Pace in AJP TOUR Pro Jiu-Jitsur
Jonas Andrade didn’t waste time making a statement this season. The HUMBLING JIU JITSU CLUB athlete begins the year at the top of the Professional World Ranking, a position that reflects not only results, but consistency and authority on the mat.
His performance at the Madrid International reinforced that status. Andrade set the pace from the opening moments and secured a submission victory in just 2:30, a fast and decisive finish that highlights his direct and effective style. It wasn’t just a win — it was a clear message to the rest of the division.
Now, the focus shifts to what’s next. With registrations confirmed for the Valencia International and the Grand Slam Rome, all signs point to Andrade pushing to defend his lead and continue building momentum on the professional circuit.
The season is only getting started, but Jonas Andrade is already setting the pace.
Gabriela Amodio establishes herself among the top purple belts on the AJP Tour
Italian athlete Gabriela Amodio closed out a strong season on the AJP Tour, earning 2,400 points and securing second place in the Italian National Ranking in the Purple / 59 kg Professional division. Her results also place her among the Top 10 in Europe in her category.
Representing Commando Group, Amodio built her season on solid performances and decisive finishes at key events. At the Pisa International, she secured a submission victory (4:48) over Maria Gonzalez (Gracie Barra Brownsville). She repeated that outcome at the Italy National, submitting Laura Mendonça (Alliance) in 4:01, a result that played an important role in the national standings.
At the Milan International, she showed another side of her game, earning a points victory over Lucia Beccaro (Rensen Shaka) after a tactical and closely contested match.
Amodio also competed at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025, gaining valuable experience on one of the most demanding stages of the international calendar.
With consistent results and a strong presence at major events, Gabriela Amodio continues to establish herself as one of the athletes to watch in the women’s purple belt division on the AJP Tour.
Laetitia Sousselier, solid in the international ranking
French athlete Laetitia Sousselier is having an outstanding season in the professional AJP Tour circuit. In the 2024–2025 campaign, she remains France’s national ranking leader, among the best in Europe, and within the Top 5 worldwide in the Women’s Master 1 Purple Belt Light Featherweight (-55 kg) division.
Sousselier has consistently earned points in the season’s most important tournaments. Her highlighted results include third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – Masters and second place at the European Continental Championship, where she even secured a quick submission victory in just 30 seconds against Rebeca Cifrian Montoya.
She also achieved several wins by points and submission at other top events such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rome and London, demonstrating a balanced style that combines strategy, control, and the ability to finish fights when opportunities arise.
With significant podium finishes and consistent performances, Sousselier establishes herself as one of the strongest athletes in the Master 1 female division on the AJP Tour, confirming her status as a top international reference in her category.
The race isn’t over yet.
Tie at 1800 points
Last 3 stages for the Italian title
Toros & Prendes
Anacoreta & Bui
The curtain is about to fall, but the real fight is just getting started.
The 2025-2026 AJP Tour season heads into its final stretch, and the calendar shows no mercy: Europe opens the chapter on September 26-27, Italy and Poland battle it out week after week through October, Spain closes the continental cycle on the 18th, and to crown it all, Abu Dhabi hosts the ADWPJJC from November 9-21 with 4000 points on the line.
Five stops. One goal: reach the final showdown with the ranking intact.
And as if that weren’t enough, the combined prize pool for these events reaches USD 824,000. Every match, every point, every decision on the mats is about to carry real weight.
Who shows up hungry, and who gets left behind? We’ll be here to tell the story, event by event.
Alessandro Rossi Leads the AJP World No-Gi Blue Belt Ranking
Italian athlete Alessandro Rossi is currently ranked first in the AJP World Ranking in the No-Gi Blue Belt division, establishing himself as one of the standout competitors of the season.
The ranking, based on results achieved throughout the official Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) circuit, reflects the athletes’ performances and consistency across the season.
Rossi’s current position comes after a series of strong performances in international AJP events, showcasing his competitiveness and dedication on the mats. With the season still ongoing and the rankings subject to change, holding the top spot at this stage represents a significant achievement.
This result further strengthens Alessandro Rossi’s presence on the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene, positioning him among Italy’s leading athletes in the No-Gi Blue Belt division.
Abu Dhabi World Championship raises the stakes with USD 820,000 prize pool.
The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will award a total of USD 820,000 in prize money, reinforcing its status as one of the most prestigious and rewarding tournaments in the sport. Beyond the titles and ranking points, athletes will compete for one of the largest prize pools in professional jiu-jitsu.
With competitors from around the world preparing for the event, the championship continues to set the benchmark for elite competition, bringing together the sport’s top talent on its biggest stage.
The Italian blue belt title is still wide open.
With 1,000 ranking points available at the upcoming AJP Italy National, the battle for the top of the Men’s Blue Belt ranking remains one of the closest races in the country. Carmine Speranza currently holds the lead with 4,100 points, while Mirko Bianchi is right behind with 3,600 points, keeping the fight for the number one position completely open.
At this stage of the season, every point can make the difference. A strong performance at the final event could be enough to turn the standings around and redefine the final order of the Italian ranking. With both athletes within reach of the top spot, the AJP Italy National represents a crucial opportunity to secure valuable points and finish the season among the best blue belts in the country.
The pressure is higher than ever, as every match, every victory, and every decision on the mats could influence the final outcome. The race is still open, and only one athlete will end the season as Italy’s number one Men’s Blue Belt.
Carlota Prendes moves to the top of the Spanish ranking
Carlota Prendes has reached first place in the Spanish AJP Tour ranking in the Women’s Brown/Black division, marking another important step in a season defined by consistency. Her performances across the Tour have allowed her to collect valuable ranking points and strengthen her position as one of Spain’s leading competitors.
The ranking is more than just a number. Every result throughout the season contributes to qualification opportunities and seeding for the biggest events on the AJP calendar, making each tournament an important part of the road to the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026.
Prendes has been building momentum through regular appearances in national and international competitions, showing steady progress against high-level opposition. Reaching the top of the Spanish ranking reflects not only recent results, but also the consistency required to remain competitive throughout the season.
With several key events still ahead, she now looks to defend her position while continuing to earn points in the race toward Abu Dhabi, where the world’s best athletes will once again compete for the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Anacoreta and Budoclan Pisa Step Onto the Podium at Grand Slam Rome 2025–2026
Italian academies Anacoreta Jiu-Jitsu and Budoclan Pisa delivered standout performances at the Grand Slam Rome 2025–2022026, earning podium finishes at one of the most competitive stops of the AJP calendar.
With disciplined strategy and decisive matches, both teams showcased the strength and consistency of Italian jiu-jitsu on home soil. Their results reflect not only individual talent, but also the structured work behind their academies, now translating into top placements at an international level.
Rome witnessed more than medals, it confirmed Italy’s growing presence among the elite of the sport.
Emanuele Zecca Leads the Rise of Italy’s White Belt Division
Italy’s Emanuele Zecca is making a strong statement in the AJP TOUR rankings, reaching the World #1 spot in the white belt division and establishing himself as one of the most promising names to watch this season.
His results reflect a consistent and disciplined campaign across multiple circuits. Zecca secured 1st place in the Spanish Tour, finished 2nd in the Italian Tour, and currently holds the top position in both the Italian and European rankings, reinforcing his dominance at every level of competition.
More than just results, his progression highlights the impact of dedication in one of the most competitive environments in the sport. Week after week, Zecca has built his position through steady performances and the ability to deliver when it matters most.
Now sitting at the top of the world ranking, he represents a new generation of athletes pushing forward the level of jiu-jitsu in Europe.
Hard work has a new face in the rankings.