The first major Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) tournament of the year is in the books, with the 2026 IBJJF European Championship seeing several world champions shine.
Diego Pato, Tainan Dalpra, Jalen Fonacier win IBJJF Euros gold
Diego Pato and Tainan Dalpra won all four major IBJJF titles in the gi in 2025. This past weekend in Lisbon, Portugal the pair of BJJ stars took the first step towards potentially winning back-to-back IBJJF Grand Slam titles.
Pato and Dalpra won gold at light featherweight and middleweight, respectively, adding to their already impressive
resumes.
Filipino world champ Jalen Fonacier, who is one of our Best Breakthrough Grapplers of 2025, also has his eyes on a potential Grand Slam title. After a stellar 2025 that saw him win a world title at 19-years-old, “The Future” kicked off his 2026 campaign by submitting every single opponent to win gold at roosterweight.
Also making waves at the IBJJF Euros is Kennedy Maciel, who faced BJJ prodigy Cole Abate in the featherweight final and secured gold with this clutch move in the final seconds. Interestingly enough, the featherweight champion in Maciel also faced off against the super heavyweight champion.
MMA Mania’s 2025 BJJ Awards:
- Best Submissions
- Best Events
- Best Breakthrough Grapplers
- Best Promotions
- Best Female Grapplers
- Best Male Grapplers
Sarah Galvao vs. Gabi Pessanha open-weight clash was crazy
In the women’s side of things, two of the youngest ever world champs in Cassia Moura and Ashlee Funegra both turned in great performances and took gold at the 2026 IBJJF Euros. Stealing the show though, was the open-weight clash between Sarah Galvao and Gabi Pessanha.
After winning gold in each of their divisions, Galvao submitted bigger opponents to face Pessanha and set up a rare lightweight vs. super-heavyweight champion match up in the Absolute finals. Despite being four whole divisions and likely over 50 lbs lighter, Galvao took it to Pessanha and the pair put on a show.
Galvao, who won our 2025 Best Breakthrough Grappler award, pushed Pessanha more than most heavyweights, but eventually succumbed to the historically dominant champion. Watch the match up that everyone was talking about at the IBJJF Euros:
MMA vets Bibiano Fernandes, Jussier Formiga win BJJ Masters gold
In the Masters divisions for older athletes, two longtime MMA veterans continued their combat sports careers and won gold medals at the 2026 IBJJF Euros. UFC staple Jussier Formiga and longtime ONE Championship title holder Bibiano Fernandes both won gold at age 40 and 45, respectively.
Fernandes was a three time BJJ world champion between 2003 to 2006, before moving on to win titles at DREAM and ONE Championship. Both retired from MMA competition and have since returned to their grappling roots.
Check here for full results for the 2026 IBJJF European Championships.
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