Erich Munis is confirmed for The Crown 2026 and returns to California with one mission: a fourth title. A three-time champion of the tournament and seven-time world champion, the Brazilian was announced by the IBJJF to defend his ultra-heavyweight crown on November 8 in California. Unbeaten in the tournament’s history, Erich is the only king the ultra-heavyweight division has ever known.
UNBEATEN FOR THE CROWN: ERICH MUNIS WANTS A FOURTH ULTRA-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
Erich’s story at The Crown begins with the event itself. In 2023, at the inaugural edition, he needed just one match to take the crown. The two athletes on the other side of the bracket were disqualified, and Erich beat Roosevelt Sousa in the final, decided on advantages.
In 2024 came the confirmation of his reign. He scored two submissions in three matches. In the final, the Brazilian met Marcus ‘Scooby’ and finished the bout with an Ezekiel choke.
Last year, the script repeated itself. Erich submitted Paulo Lanzilotti and Marcos Carrozzino on his way to the final. In the title match, he beat Gustavo Batista, a three-time light heavyweight world champion, 6-0 on points. Like Gabi Pessanha, he has held the crown since the event began.
A HEAVY SEASON: ERICH MUNIS DOMINATED THE OPEN CLASS AT WORLDS AND BRAZILIAN NATIONALS
Erich arrives in California riding another standout season. At IBJJF Worlds in June, at the Pyramid, he beat Marcus ‘Scooby’ in the open class final to win his seventh world title. Open class champion since 2024, he now has three open class gold medals.
At the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, the story was similar. In the open class final, Erich settled things early with a quick armbar attack on Gabriel Veloso. At both tournaments, his silver in the weight division came against his student Vinicius Liberati, in tough matches decided on advantages.
Experience in both formats works in his favor. Used to competing several times in the same day, between his weight division and the open class, Erich arrives at The Crown ready for a grand prix where you have to win three times to take the crown.
A STACKED BRACKET: SEIF HOUMINE AND MATHEUS VETORACI STAND IN THE WAY
The road to a fourth title, however, runs through some big names. Seif-Eddine Houmine, world champion and 2026 Pans champion, was the first athlete confirmed at ultra-heavyweight and stands out as one of the top challengers. At Worlds, he choked out Gutemberg Pereira to take gold in the division.
Matheus Vetoraci also arrives with credentials. At the Europeans in Portugal, the Brazilian submitted Nolan Stuart, the reigning The Crown heavyweight king, in the semifinal and reached the heavyweight final.
Argentina’s Francisco Papasidero, who competed at The Crown last year, returns in search of his first crown. Helder Rodrigues, Thierry Felipe, Alexander Sak and Pedro Machado round out the bracket, all hungry for a win. Every one of them wants to be the first to take the crown from Erich Munis.
MEET THE EIGHT ULTRA-HEAVYWEIGHTS OF THE CROWN 2026:
- Erich Munis
- Seif-Eddine Houmine
- Matheus Vetoraci
- Francisco Papasidero
- Helder Rodrigues
- Thierry Felipe
- Alexander Sak
- Pedro Machado
This article was originally published in Portuguese: read the original version.
