Favorites and contenders: previewing the 66kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships
The 2024 ADCC World Championships take place on August 17-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grappling Insider will be previewing every division at the event.
Out of every male division at ADCC 2024, the 66kg division is the only one to see no roster changes as a result of the Craig Jones Invitational. As a result, an already strong 66kg division looks to be the most compelling and talent-laden of the entire event.
While the division boasts returning champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis along with several respected ADCC veterans and medalists, there is no clear-cut favorite to take home gold at 66kg – and any number of lesser-known athletes could play the part of spoiler on their way to the podium.
Simply put, the 66kg division at ADCC 2024 represents the pinnacle of no-gi grappling. Before we dive into the bracket’s favorites, contenders, and dark horses, check out the full list of competitors below. View the full roster of athletes competing in every division at ADCC 2024 here.
Men’s 66kg
- Diogo Reis (returning champion)
- Owen Jones (1st European Trials winner)
- Gairbeg Ibragimov (2nd European Trials winner)
- Dorian Olivarez (East Coast Trials winner)
- Ethan Thomas (1st Asia & Oceania Trials winner)
- Kennedy Maciel (1st South American Trials winner)
- Fabricio Andrey (2nd South American Trials winner)
- Ethan Crelinsten (invite)
- Deandre Corbe (West Coast Trials winner)
- Kaua Gabriel (invite)
- Gabriel Sousa (invite)
- Ash Williams (invite)
- Josh Cisneros (invite)
- Keith Krikorian (invite)
- Xu Huaiqing (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
- Diego “Pato” Oliveira (invite)
Favorites: Diogo Reis, Diego “Pato” Oliveira, Kennedy Maciel
A trio of decorated Brazilians make up the division’s early favorites.
Perhaps the most obvious favorite is returning champion Reis, who will undoubtedly be given the top seed, paving his way deep into the bracket. An elite takedown artist with a knack for finding the back at a moment’s notice, Reis possesses the well-rounded skill set and tactical awareness to take home gold for the second time. Notably, though, he has competed infrequently in 2024 after suffering an injury in his 2023 Who’s Number One title loss against fellow ADCC competitor Diego “Pato” Oliveira.
For his part, “Pato” is arguably the planet’s top pound-for-pound grappler at the moment and he’ll come into ADCC 2024 with plenty of momentum. The Art of Jiu-Jitsu representative is a superb leg locker, boasting recent no-gi victories over Dante Leon and Fabricio Andrey while looking utterly dominant in gi competition, as well. If “Pato” has a weakness, it is his wrestling, but he has undoubtedly worked hard to improve his takedowns as he prepares for a gold-medal run at ADCC 2024.
Finally, 2019 ADCC silver medalist Kennedy Maciel will be a serious favorite to make it to the division’s final. After falling to “Pato” at ADCC 2022 via z-lock, Maciel has shown marked improvements in his leg lock defense, winning South American Trials and going nearly undefeated in gi competition thus far in 2024.
Contenders: Gabriel Sousa, Josh Cisneros, Ethan Crelinsten
In addition to the favorites, three more athletes stand to make waves at 66kg.
First among them is 2022 ADCC silver medal winner Gabriel Sousa. The Brazilian recently came up short in his ONE world title bid against former foe Mikey Musumeci but possesses a cagey, wrestling-and-scramble-heavy style of grappling that’s tailor-made for ADCC competition. He is incredibly difficult to score on, and, if he’s able to stay out of submission trouble, is a tough customer for any athlete in the division.
Fans will also want to keep an eye on 2022 ADCC fourth-place finisher Josh Cisneros. The American is an explosive athlete, a talented wrestler, and boasts a tricky “black hole” attack from the top position that makes him a legitimate threat to make it to the podium.
Also, long-time veteran Ethan Crelinsten should never be counted out. The B-Team product is well-versed under the ADCC rule set and rivals “Baby Shark” as the division’s most dangerous back-taker. And, with wins over fellow 66kg competitors Keith Krikorian, Deandre Corbe, and Fabricio Andrey, he’ll surely be coming into ADCC 2024 loaded with confidence.
Dark horses: Keith Krikorian, Deandre Corbe, Dorian Olivarez
In a division that looks to be wide open, there’s no shortage of potential dark horses and disruptors.
First, 10th Planet standout Keith Krikorian is entering his third straight ADCC World Championship, making him one of the bracket’s most experienced competitors. A dangerous submission hunter from practically any position, he’s proven to be plenty capable of taking out the world’s best when he’s at the top of his game.
Another potential dark horse is Standard Jiu-Jitsu’s Deandre Corbe. The well-rounded black belt shined at the ADCC West Coast Trials, defeating Krikorian in the final to establish himself as an undeniably elite talent.
Finally, teenage phenom Dorian Olivarez is a true wild card in the division. While he’s still relatively short on submission grappling experience, the national champion wrestler showcased an endless gas tank and beat a number of more established competitors on his way to winning gold at the ADCC East Coast Trials. Under the ADCC rule set, he has all the ability to make waves yet again.
How to watch: The 2024 ADCC World Championships take place on August 17-18 and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
