Welcome to the BJJ Beat! On this recurring feature, we’ll tackle the biggest news from the professional grappling scene, and roll everything up in an easily digestible and familiar jiu-jitsu format.
Warm Ups
Jiu-jitsu athlete passes away after IBJJF match
A jiu-jitsu competitor has died during the IBJJF Chicago Summer International Open on August 10, 2025.
Alvis E. Villarreal, a white belt who competed at the Master 4 division, tragically passed away shortly after his match.
According to witnesses, the competitor sat down by the audience after his match,
before eventually collapsing. Bystanders, and eventually medical staff, tried to help but to no avail. The IBJJF released a statement about his passing:
“The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is profoundly saddened to confirm that an athlete passed away following a medical emergency at our Chicago event last Sunday,” the statement read.
“The medical emergency occurred in the spectator area shortly after the athlete had completed their match. IBJJF staff, along with trained medical personnel and other qualified first responders acted immediately, utilizing all available life-saving techniques, equipment and medical protocols in an effort to assist. The athlete was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Despite continued urgent and extensive efforts by medical personnel, we were later sadly informed that the athlete had passed away.”
Contrary to IBJJF’s statements, several witnesses claimed online that the response was slow, and organizers were allegedly ill-equipped for a medical emergency.
Villarreal, who was 50 years old, took bronze in the tournament.
Drills
King’s ransom? Gordon Ryan reveals how much he charges for private lessons
Training with “The King” won’t be cheap. Gordon Ryan, who is said to be (unofficially?) retired due to his health issues, is still planning on making a lot of money outside of competition.
Apart from making big money selling BJJ instructionals, Gordon Ryan also revealed the rates he charges for private lessons in his new Kingsway gym.
The decorated ADCC champion says it will be $1,000 per hour for Kingsway members, and $1,200 for non-members to train with him, while also noting that these rates will be increasing soon. Membership will be an additional $400 a month for Gordon Ryan’s gym, which also has a pretty strict dress code.
Gordon Ryan last competed in ADCC 2024, where he won two super-fights — after having ADCC create another medal for him.
Move of the Day
Anderson Silva’s son, Kalyl Silva competes in first BJJ tournament
Kalyl Silva, the son of an all-time great UFC champion Anderson Silva, has been continuing his combat sports journey. The 26-year-old Silva is already 3-0 as a professional boxer, and also has a handful of amateur kickboxing matches to his name.
He has also been training jiu-jitsu as of late, and recently joined his first ever grappling tournament. Kalyl Silva had three matches at a local tournament in Downey, California, competing at 181.6 lbs. and gaining valuable experience as a white belt.
As seen on the video he posted, Kalyl Silva was cornered by his legendary UFC champion father, but unfortunately lost to the eventual gold medalist by points in the first round. He rebounded well by winning his second match 3-0, before losing in the bronze medal match by Ezekiel choke.
The younger Silva went 1-2 in his first ever BJJ tournament, and promised to continue competing.
“I’ll definitely be doing a lot more of these,” Kalyl Silva said. “Now I’m just going back to the gym and get better.”
Rolls
Tommy Langaker moves up to face Owen Livesey in Polaris 33 title bout
Polaris 33 will feature another fun “Polaris Squads” team battle, with Team South America taking on Team Asia & Oceania, but now an interesting title bout has been added.
Perhaps sticking to the chaotic theme from their team battle, a title bout will on the card will also feature a pretty big size and weight disparity. As announced by Polaris officials, Tommy Langaker will be going all the way up to light heavyweight to face fellow European BJJ star Owen Livesey. While Langaker has made a name for himself by winning ADCC Trials and No gi world titles around 170 lbs, he will now be facing Livesey for the vacant title at 205 lbs.
Polaris 33 will happen on September 13, 2025 and will be streamed on UFC Fight pass.
The Polaris Squads line ups are as also shaping up well, and the current roster revealed are below:
- Team South America: Charles Negromonte, Samuel Nagai, Gabriel Sousa, Romao Carvalho, Jean Luca Maltese
- Team Asia & Oceania: Lucas Kanard, Kit Dale, Igor Tanabe, Hejraat Rashid
Cooldown
Ffion Davies, UFC vets, join 2025 IBJJF Master’s Worlds
CJI 2 isn’t the only big event happening at the end of this month. Right before that hyped pro event, the 2025 IBJJF World Master Championship happens on August 28-30, and it will also have a deep talent pool of BJJ champs.
Don’t be fooled by the over 30 age requirement, as Master’s Worlds will have several decorated world champions, and even some of the best grapplers competing today.
The biggest name on the line up is exclusive UFC grappler and ADCC world champion Ffion Davies, who will be joining the Master 1 lightweight division. Davies is among the best pound-for-pound grapplers today, and will be returning to gi competition for the first time since winning the IBJJF world title in 2023.
Other world champions who have signed up for the 2025 IBJJF Masters Worlds at Master 1 (age 30 and up) include Jackson Nagai, Joao Miyao, Faris Ben-Lamkadem, Thamires Aquino, Melissa Stricker Cueto and Tayane Porfirio.
Two UFC veterans will also be competing, with former flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau signing up at Master 1, and longtime UFC vet Rani Yahya joining at Master 3 (40 and up).
Review
To close things out, here are other interesting BJJ stories you might have missed:
- Trolled! Craig Jones is not
betrayingjoining New Wave, but a UFC veteran is! - CJI 2 happens at the end of the month, and the STACKED fight card has been finalized here.
- Bryce Mitchell moves to BJJ – And the UFC vet will be facing elite competition too!
For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here.
