The final featherweight name for The Crown 2026 is set. Rerisson Gabriel, of Alliance Rio de Janeiro, completes the list of eight athletes invited to fight for the golden crown at the IBJJF tournament, taking place on November 8 at the iconic Pyramid in California.
In its fourth edition, The Crown brings together 48 elite athletes from around the world, split into six weight divisions with eight-competitor brackets. The event is invitation-only, and the champion of each division takes home, along with the crown, a $20,000 prize. Among the night’s headliners is Gabi Pessanha, the most successful champion in The Crown’s history, who is chasing her fourth straight title at the tournament.
FEARLESS AND UNPREDICTABLE: RERISSON GABRIEL ARRIVES ON THE HEELS OF PANS AND BRAZILIAN NATIONALS TITLES
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rerisson dos Santos Gabriel has built a brilliant high-level career with a fearless and unpredictable style. At black belt, it did not take him long to make his mark. At the 2025 IBJJF Pans, Rerisson beat Diogo Reis in the final by referee decision and took gold at light featherweight. The plan now is to rule at featherweight, the division in which he will compete at The Crown.
In 2026 came another win over a big name. In the final of the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, Rerisson defeated Diego ‘Pato’, a four-time world champion and the favorite, in a tough match decided on advantages. With that, Rerisson won the title at his first Brazilian Nationals as a black belt. With both runs, he established himself as one of the most dangerous athletes among the elite.
“I don’t really care what people say. I believe in my potential, I know how far I can go, they can say whatever they want. I know what I can do,” Rerisson said right after his win over ‘Pato’ in the Brazilian Nationals final.
ON A HOT STREAK: ‘RERISTAR’ ALSO WON AT UFC BJJ AND RIO SUMMER
Rerisson’s 2026 season was not just about the Brazilian Nationals. In February, the Rio native made his UFC BJJ debut in the UFC’s grappling league and left with his hand raised. At UFC BJJ 5, he beat Landon Elmore by unanimous decision after three rounds of pressure.
In IBJJF tournaments, the black belt also reached the podium at home. At the Rio Summer International Open, he took gold at featherweight, the same division in which he will fight for the crown in California.
Experience in both formats works in his favor. Used to the three-round fights of UFC BJJ and the single-elimination brackets of the IBJJF, Rerisson arrives at The Crown ready for a grand prix where you have to win three times to lift the crown.
WITH COLE ABATE OUT, SAMUEL NAGAI WANTS TO RETURN TO THE TOP AT FEATHERWEIGHT
The Crown 2026 featherweight division will have a new owner. Cole Abate, the 2025 champion, is not in this season’s tournament. That makes Samuel Nagai, the first featherweight champion in the event’s history, one of the top contenders as he looks to return to the top.
Besides Rerisson, two other Brazilians are in the mix. João Mendes, aka ‘Bisnaga’, is an IBJJF world champion, while Ademir Barreto arrives with experience and hunger for victory. The group is completed by Mateo Cardona, Jun Yong Cho, Keven Carrasco and European champion Will Wilson.
For the Rio competitor, The Crown is a chance to carry his strong season onto one of the most prestigious stages on the IBJJF calendar. The invitational grand prix will be streamed worldwide on FloGrappling.
MEET THE EIGHT FEATHERWEIGHTS OF THE CROWN 2026:
- Rerisson Gabriel
- Samuel Nagai
- João ‘Bisnaga’ Mendes
- Ademir Barreto
- Mateo Cardona
- Jun Yong Cho
- Keven Carrasco
- Will Wilson
This article was originally published in Portuguese: read the original version.
