2018 IBJJF Worlds Preview: Women’s Black Belt Divisions

There are a number of big names to watch when the women step on the mat.

Just like their male counterparts, the ladies are prepared to tear up the mats this week at the 2018 edition of the IBJJF World Championships. Across every division there are a number of names that should be followed closely as favorites for a championship run. But where there are favorites, there are also competitors who can play spoilers at the end of the tournament.

The Mundials is consistently one of the most anticipated events of the year, and looking at some of the names in the women’s brackets, the action will live up to the hype.

The conversation begins with the women’s Roosterweight division. Even though the group only has six competitors scheduled to perform, this division is worth attention as Rikako Yuasa looks to take her third straight title. Roosterweight was included for the women back in 2014 and since then she’s taken two of those championships. Yuasa has also won in the division above hers which features a plethora of talented athletes. When it’s all said and done, Yuasa may be one of the best women’s grapplers to ever step on the IBJJF mats.

Fourteen names are prepared to compete in the light-featherweight division and this may be the deepest group of them all. First and foremost, there’s Gezary Matuda who has won three of the last five titles in this division. Defending champion Talita Alencar had an exception 2017 and has seen some success in 2018, although not to the same level. Then there’s Fiona Watson and Kristina Barlaan, two highly technical grapplers that can upset the division with a major win. Pati Fontes is another athlete that has experienced victory in other tournaments and is looking to continue that run in the black belt division this year. Don’t forget about the 2018 European champion, Amanda Monteiro as she’s another competitor that can walk away with the title this year. If you’re a fan of high-level and action-intensive grappling, do not miss the women’s light featherweight division.

Maxine Thylin is back to defend her featherweight crown and she welcomes a deep division of 12 women. Bianca Basilio saw extensive success in 2017 and took the Abu Dhabi Pro title earlier this year. She stands to be the biggest hurdle for Thylin if she’s to repeat as champion. Aarae Alexander is a young name out of Team Lloyd Irvin that everyone should watch closely. She’s won titles at the lower ranks and is looking to play spoiler in the black belt division this year.

The women’s lightweight division is a battle between Beatriz Mesquita and last year’s champion, Luiza Monteiro. In 2017 Monteiro became the first women to win the division since 2011. Before that, Mesquita took home five straight titles. She’s earned 7 total over her illustrious career and is looking to tie Michelle Nicolini’s run at eight.

At middleweight, Ana Carolina Vieira is attempting to repeat as champion. She’s facing a deep list of competitors that includes names such as Erin Herle and Renata Moreira. Samantha Cook is coming off of a win at the Grand Slam Tour this year and is another competitor that can play spoiler for Vieira when the action is said and done.

Seven women are prepped for the middle-heavy division and but five time champion Luanna Alzuguir is the favorite heading into the event. She hasn’t taken home a title from Mundials since 2013, but she’s stepping into a weight class where she can change that this year. Keep an eye on Monique Carvalho as well as she’s won and competed well at the Masters level and should have a good run this year in the tournament.

The women’s heavyweight division also has seven women on the docket. Jessica Flowers is a very experienced competitor as she won both the Pan Ams and No-Gi Worlds in 2017 and also has two ADCC medals to her name. Nathiely de Jesus won the 74 kilogram division last year and has moved up to this group in 2018. Both of these women jump off of the page when looking to predict this year’s champion.

At heavyweight there’s a showdown coming between two champions in Andresa Correa and Tayane Porfirio. Correa has won titles at heavy and middle-heavyweight, while Porfirio was the heavyweight champion in 2017.

Each year the Mundials brings the best talent in the world of grappling. 2018 is set to be yet another edition of this trend. The women’s black belt divisions consistently have some of the best matches and across every division there’s at least one match to look forward to this year.