Jiu-Jitsu Weekly Roundup — July 19, 2026: ADCC Worlds Shakeup, Asian Open Crowns Champions
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Jiu-Jitsu Weekly Roundup · Sunday, July 19, 2026
A shakeup at the top of the ADCC bracket, a team battle in Osaka, a new promotion arriving with a bang, and a legend laying down his belt — the grappling world packed a lot into the past week. Here is your rundown.
ADCC Watch: Fornarino Out, Hamilton In
Big news on the road to the ADCC World Championships (September 12-13): reigning champion Adele Fornarino will not return to defend her title, opting to compete under the UFC BJJ banner instead. Her spot goes to East and West Coast Trials runner-up Valerie Hamilton, per FloGrappling's Grappling Bulletin.
On the Opens circuit, the ADCC Miami Open was loaded with talent — Achilles and Jasmine Rocha both went double gold, with Dorian Olivarez and Luccas Lira also taking titles. The ADCC Indaiatuba Open in Brazil runs July 25, and ADCC Open registration worldwide is handled through SmoothComp.
CheckMat and InFight Top the IBJJF Asian Open
The IBJJF Asian Open wrapped up in Osaka, Japan, with CheckMat and InFight taking the adult male and female team titles. Notable black belt champions included Jackson Nagai, Mateo Cardona, Ashlee Funegra, and Keanna Klay, per FloGrappling. Stateside, IBJJF opens in Los Angeles and Austin crowned gold medalists including Will Wilson, Helena Crevar, and Felipe 'Laranjinha' Costa.
ConnectHeroes Debuts; Davi Ramos Bows Out
New promotion ConnectHeroes held its inaugural event in Brazil, streamed free on YouTube, and it over-delivered: Fabricio Andrey beat Meyram Maquine in the main event, and Diogo 'Baby Shark' Reis won his rematch with Rerisson Gabriel. The emotional moment of the night came when ADCC champion Davi Ramos laid down his belt after his match with Piter Frank, signaling his retirement from competition.
UFC BJJ 10 Takes Shape
UFC BJJ returns August 20 with UFC BJJ 10, headlined by Andrew Tackett vs. Jonnatas Gracie for the 170 lb title. The promotion also announced a four-woman bracket featuring Cassia Moura, Bri Stikk, Adele Fornarino, and Caroline Brunacio — a card that lands just three weeks out from ADCC Worlds.
ICYMI: Szczecinski Ran the Gauntlet at Polaris 38
As covered in last week's roundup, Poland's Mateusz Szczecinski retained his Polaris welterweight title and pocketed $30,000 by winning a stacked eight-man Grand Prix at Polaris 38 in Bath, England — an ankle lock on Deandre Corbe, a highlight-reel armbar on Michael Liera Jr., and a razor-close split decision over PJ Barch in the final. Sarah Galvão claimed the bantamweight title with a first-round darce in the co-main. Full brackets and highlights landed this week at Jits Magazine.
Around the Mats
Fight to Win 321 brought the party to San Diego's Town and Country on Saturday night, while Toro Cup 37 and the Finishers Zack Edwards Memorial rounded out the weekend streaming slate on FloGrappling. At Fight to Win 320 earlier this month, Rana Willink took a decision over Elizabeth Mitrovic in a battle of world-ranked Southern California grapplers.
And in a wide-ranging YouTube Q&A, Craig Jones said the next CJI likely won't carry a $1 million prize — and revealed he once tried to book Tom Hardy vs. Mark Zuckerberg for CJI 1.
On the Calendar: Pro and Grassroots
Coming up on the pro side: the IBJJF Orlando Summer Open (July 23), Pan Kids (July 24-26), Fight to Win 322 (July 25), and BJJ Stars 19 (July 31), all streaming on FloGrappling.
For competitors, next weekend is loaded on SmoothComp: the NAGA U.S. National Grappling Championship (Foley, AL) and NAGA Detroit on July 25, the Chewjitsu Open in Branson, MO (July 25-26), Grappling Industries stops in Chicago, Everett, and Tampa, the Los Angeles Jiu-Jitsu Open in Norwalk, CA, the COWO PGF Qualifier #1 in Denver, the WCJJO Championship in Stow, OH (July 23-26), and the Evolucao BJJ Championship in Toronto — plus dozens more local events worldwide. No excuses not to get some matches in.