Las Vegas delivered again. The 2025 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds wrapped up with one of the wildest final days we’ve seen in recent memory—massive submissions, underdog storylines, and a handful of performances that are going to be talked about for a very long time.

This wasn’t just another Worlds. It felt like a shift.

Below are the biggest moments and the athletes who owned the stage this year.

Lis Clay: The Breakthrough Every Athlete Dreams Of

There are great tournament runs… and then there is what Elisabeth Clay just did.

Clay walked into Vegas as a proven threat but still an underdog in the shadow of Gabi Pessanha—one of the most dominant competitors of her generation. By the end of the weekend, she walked out with two world titles, eight matches, eight submissions, and one historic finish over the pound-for-pound #1.

Their previous encounters had suggested a different outcome. This time, Clay entered with an edge—urgency, confidence, and a strategy laser-focused on attacking early and refusing to slow down.

The leg entanglements she threw at Gabi were relentless. Each attempt chipped away at the aura of invincibility, and when the tap finally came, the arena erupted. What looked unthinkable 24 hours earlier suddenly looked inevitable.

This weekend belonged to Lis Clay. Full stop.

Roosevelt Sousa: Double Gold & Unshakable Control

If Clay stole the show on the women’s side, Roosevelt Sousa made sure the men’s divisions had their own storyline of dominance.

Sousa’s run was one of those rare performances where the scoreboard barely matters—you could feel the control in every exchange. He submitted his way through both his division and the absolute, adding another chapter to a career that is aging like fine wine.

In the ultra-heavy final, he played the sweep-to-back sequence like it was a drill, finishing Heikki Jussila with a choke that looked almost effortless. The open final with Elder Cruz was tighter, but the ending didn’t change: Sousa found the back, closed the space, and closed the show.

With both Gi and No-Gi world titles this season, he officially becomes one of the year’s most complete champions.

Europe Isn’t “Up-and-Coming” Anymore — They’re Here

European athletes continue to tear down the old narrative that the elite scene belongs only to Brazil and the U.S.

This year, the standout crew included:

• Shay Montague, who made history by capturing the roosterweight title—the first Scottish black belt world champion under the IBJJF banner.
• Pawel Jaworski and Tarik Hopstock, both delivering the type of technical, confident matches that show Europe’s depth at the highest level.

Call it a surge, a wave, or an invasion—whatever the name, Europe is now a fully established force in the no-gi game.

Fast Finishes, First Titles & Major Statements

A handful of performances demand their own spotlight:

• Adele Fornarino needed only 16 seconds—yes, 16—to blast an ankle lock and end her final.
• Lillian Marchand claimed lightweight gold with a clean, clinical RNC over Amanda Bruse.
• Helena Crevar captured her first black belt world title at medium-heavy, also via rear-naked choke.
• Cassia Moura secured her second heavyweight no-gi world title with a composed 6–0 victory over Nia Blackman.

Each of these athletes walked out of Vegas with momentum that can easily carry into 2026.

The New Wave: Abate, Maglicic, Barter

The next generation continues to rise—and loudly.

• Cole Abate showcased exactly why he’s one of the most analyzed prospects on the planet. Smooth guard work, sharp transitions, and confidence under pressure.
• Nico Maglicic delivered a composed, methodical campaign with dominant positional control and chained submission attacks.
• Javier Barter impressed with pace and precision, stacking technical pressure that few opponents could solve.

All three looked less like “promising athletes” and more like emerging fixtures in their divisions.

A Worlds to Remember

This year’s No-Gi Worlds had everything: legends taking risks, rising stars making noise, and international talent shifting the competitive balance.

Lis Clay’s historic weekend, Roosevelt Sousa’s double gold, Europe’s expanding presence—these weren’t isolated moments. They were signs of where no-gi jiu-jitsu is heading: wider, deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever.

And if this tournament is any indication, 2026 is going to be wild.