The IBJJF Crown has quickly become one of the most prestigious events in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, attracting the sport's elite competitors. Launched to showcase high-stakes gi competition, the Crown stands out for its lucrative prize pools, which drew top-tier talents such as Erich Munis, Gabrieli Pessanha, and Tainan Dalpra to this year's event. Fans eagerly anticipated thrilling rematches, standout performances from defending champions, and the possibility of upsets in each bracket.
With $250,000 on the line, the stakes were higher than ever, and the storylines did not disappoint. Munis sought to defend his title while teasing a shift to no-gi, and Pessanha aimed to extend her reign with flawless dominance. Rising stars like Diego Pato entered with momentum, setting up a captivating clash of generations and styles. From explosive submissions to strategic battles, the Crown delivered a spectacle befitting its growing reputation.
Event Overview
- Format: Six divisions (four men’s, two women’s) with 8-person brackets.
Key Highlights
- Erich Munis and Gabrieli Pessanha successfully defended their titles with flawless runs.
- Diego Pato impressed with a dominant featherweight campaign.
- Tainan Dalpra was forced to withdraw from the middleweight finals due to a broken hand.
Full Results
Men’s Featherweight (154 lbs)
- Champion: Diego Oliveira
- Finals: Defeated Joao Mendes via rear-naked choke.
- Semis: Dominated Jamil Hill-Taylor 18-0.
- Opener: Beat Osvaldo Moizino 6-2.
- Silver: Joao Mendes
- Bronze: Ademir Barreto (Toe hold submission over Hill-Taylor).
Men’s Middleweight (181 lbs)
- Champion: Andy Murasaki
- Finals: Won via walkover after Tainan Dalpra’s injury.
- Semis: Submitted Mauricio Oliveira with an armbar.
- Opener: Defeated Jaime Canuto 7-0.
- Silver: Tainan Dalpra
- Bronze: Elijah Dorsey
Men’s Heavyweight (208 lbs)
- Champion: Adam Wardzinski
- Finals: Narrowly defeated Gustavo Batista by advantages.
- Semis: Submitted Horlando Monteiro with a choke from the back.
- Opener: Beat Matheus Spirandeli 9-2.
- Silver: Gustavo Batista
- Bronze: Horlando Monteiro
Men’s Ultra-Heavyweight (Openweight)
- Champion: Erich Munis
- Finals: Submitted Marcus Ribeiro with an Ezekiel choke.
- Semis: Dominated Pedro Machado 15-6.
- Opener: Submitted Kristof Szucs with a footlock.
- Silver: Marcus Ribeiro
- Bronze: Pedro Machado
Women’s Lightweight (141 lbs)
- Champion: Brianna Ste-Marie
- Finals: Edged Janaina Lebre via advantages.
- Semis: Submitted Gabriele McComb with a collar choke.
- Opener: Routed Jaine Fragoso 14-0.
- Silver: Janaina Lebre
- Bronze: Gabriele McComb
Women’s Super-Heavyweight (Openweight)
- Champion: Gabrieli Pessanha
- Finals: Submitted Melissa Stricker via rear-naked choke.
- Semis: Submitted Tamiris Silva via choke from the back.
- Opener: Submitted Mayara Custodio with another choke.
- Silver: Melissa Stricker
- Bronze: Nathiely De Jesus
The 2024 IBJJF Crown showcased the incredible level of talent and competition within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, solidifying the dominance of key figures in the sport. Erich Munis and Gabrieli Pessanha both defended their titles with commanding performances, proving once again why they are considered legends in the game. Munis’ victory in the ultra-heavyweight division was highlighted by a brilliant Ezekiel choke submission, further cementing his status as one of the most skilled competitors of his generation. Pessanha, on the other hand, continued her undefeated streak, submitting her way through the super-heavyweight division with ease, leaving no doubt about her place among the best.
Diego Pato also made a strong statement in this year’s competition. Moving up in weight to dominate the featherweight bracket, Pato demonstrated his versatility and evolution as an athlete. His aggressive style and technical prowess have firmly placed him among the top grapplers to watch in the coming years. On the other hand, Tainan Dalpra's unfortunate injury during the middleweight finals served as a reminder of the physical risks elite athletes face in this intense sport. Despite his early triangle armbar victory, Dalpra’s withdrawal due to a broken hand was a setback, but one that highlights the fine line between success and injury in BJJ.
While the event was an incredible display of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there were some areas for improvement. The dual-mat format kept the action fast-paced and engaging, but the lengthy intermission before the finals caused a noticeable disruption in the flow of the event. This break in momentum highlighted the need for the IBJJF to refine the pacing for future events to maintain audience engagement and excitement.
Overall, the 2024 IBJJF Crown was a landmark event that displayed the ever-growing talent and competitive nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From Munis and Pessanha’s flawless defenses to the breakout performance of Diego Pato, the sport is evolving at an unprecedented rate. As BJJ continues to gain global popularity, the excitement surrounding future events is palpable. With new stars emerging and veterans pushing the limits of their craft, it’s clear that the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is as thrilling as ever. The 2025 IBJJF Crown promises even more captivating moments as these athletes evolve, challenge one another, and inspire the next generation of grapplers.
