BJJ Stars 16
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BJJ Stars 16 to feature star-studded no-gi grand prix, gi superfights

Ben Coate

View the full main card lineup for BJJ Stars 16, which takes place on July 26, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazil’s premier submission grappling and BJJ promotion is set to return to action on July 26 with a card that’s loaded with elite talent.

BJJ Stars 26 features an eight-man absolute no-gi grand prix and five intriguing superfights in the gi.

The no-gi grand prix is filled with a number of established world champions. The field’s smallest competitor is two-time 66kg ADCC veteran and 2021 IBJJF world champion at 70kg, Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey. Despite his relatively diminutive size, the Brazilian has proven time and time again that he can not only hang with much larger grapplers but defeat them. He boasts notable victories over the likes of two-time 88kg ADCC world champion Giancarlo Bodoni, heavyweight standout Owen Livesey, and, most recently, a decision win over perennial top-ranked 77kg competitor Dante Leon.

Andrey will face no shortage of high-level heavyweights in the bracket. Former ADCC absolute champion Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu is the field’s oldest and decorated grappler, but after taking home silver in the absolute division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships, he still looks to be at the top of his game.

Another name to keep an eye on is current WNO light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho. With his excellent takedown game and trademark guillotine choke, Marinho has firmly established himself as a mainstay of the no-gi scene’s upper echelon. And although he’s often struggled under the ADCC ruleset used by BJJ Stars, his tactical awareness and elite skill set make him a threat to any athlete in the division.

The event’s gi superfights are topped by a pair of BJJ Stars title matches. First, teenage sensation Helena Crevar will look for her biggest win in the gi yet when she squares off with Thalyta “Thata” Silva for the middleweight belt. Still just 18 years old, Crevar has already amassed an incredible no-gi resume that includes an ADCC silver medal, a Polaris title, and victories over some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. While she enjoyed a decorated colored-belt career in the gi, she’ll be facing a serious step up in competition against Silva.

“Thata” has spent the past four years cementing herself as one of jiu-jitsu’s top gi grapplers. She capped her career-defining 2025 Worlds run with a victory over American star Elisabeth Clay.

After that, two-time IBJJF world champion Anna Rodrigues will return for her first match since the 2024 ADCC World Championships when she takes on 2024 Euros champion Julia Alves for the lightweight title. Both women are excellent grapplers in all positions, and each are known for their sharp strategic skills and fight IQ.

Check out the full lineup of matches at BJJ Stars 16 below.

BJJ Stars 16 main card lineup

  • Anna Rodrigues (c) vs. Julia Alves (BJJ Stars lightweight title)
  • Helena Crevar vs. Thalyta Silva (BJJ Stars middleweight title)
  • Leo Souza vs. Meyram Maquine
  • Pablo Oliveira vs. Mateo Ruiz
  • Luiz Marques vs. Sergio Rios

No-Gi Absolute Grand Prix

  • Javier Zaruski
  • Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu
  • Pedro Marinho
  • Devhonte Johnson
  • Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey
  • Haisam Rida
  • Josh Saunders
  • Eli Braz

How to watch: BJJ Stars 16 takes place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and holds the rank of black belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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