Favorites and contenders: Previewing the 88kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships
Favorites and contenders: Previewing 88 kg. at the 2024 ADCC world Championships
The 2024 ADCC World Championships will take place on August 17-18, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ahead of the tournament, Grappling Insider will be previewing each division. Read the 66kg preview here.
The 88kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships offers a mix of ADCC veterans, fan favorites, and the ultra-hungry lesser-known athletes looking to etch their names in the history books.
Eighty-eight kg. is one of the better divisions at this year’s ADCC Championships. While returning champion Giancarlo Bodoni may be the favorite, there are a number of athletes who have a real chance at ascending to the top of the podium.
Below we look at the favorites, contenders, and dark horses of the 88 kg. division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships. View the full list of competitors from every division here.
Men’s 88kg
- Santeri Lilius (1st European Trials winner)
- Taylor Pearman (2nd European Trials winner)
- Jacob Couch (East Coast Trials winner)
- Izaak Michell (1st Asia & Oceania Trials winner)
- Charles Negromonte (1st South American Trials winner)
- Pedro Marinho (2nd South American Trials winner)
- Giancarlo Bodoni (returning champion)
- Jay Rodriguez (invite)
- Gabriel Almeida (invite)
- Elder Cruz (invite)
- Vagner Rocha (invite)
- Ryan Aitken (invite)
- Andre Porfirio (invite)
- Chris Wojcik (invite)
- Josh Hinger (invite)
- Felipe Costa (1st South American Trials winner)
- Achilles Rocha (Invite)
The Favorites: Giancarlo Bodoni, Pedro Marinho, Izaak Michell
Returning champion Giancarlo Bodoni looks to defend his title against a stacked field. Bodoni, who had three submission victories on his way to claiming gold at the 2022 ADCC World Championships, has a style built to succeed in this ruleset. Bodoni employs a very clever and methodical style with the ability to wrestle and attack the upper and lower body equally well.
No-Gi world champion and former WNO Light Heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho is looking to add an ADCC gold medal to his resume. Marinho is known for pushing a torrid pace with explosive takedowns and the ability to finish a match at any time. He holds a 2023 victory over the aforementioned Bodoni.
Izaak Michell has one of the most well-rounded games in this bracket. When he burst onto the scene he was known as a leg-locker but has since become a very skilled wrestler who is adept at taking and finishing from the back.
The Contenders: Jacob Couch, Elder Cruz, Ryan Aitken
Fan favorite Jacob “The Hillbilly Hammer” Couch lit the world on fire at the 2023 ADCC East Coast trials when he submitted all seven of his opponents to punch his ticket to the big dance. Couch prefers to operate from various guards. He is an extremely dangerous leg locker.
No-gi world champion Elder Cruz makes his second ADCC World Championships appearance after having success at multiple ADCC Trials. Cruz has excellent wrestling and positional control on top. He is extremely tough to score on, which makes him dangerous for anyone who should run into him at this tournament.
Rounding out the contenders is the red-hot 10th Planet Atlanta representative Ryan Aitken. Aitken is fresh off winning EBI Absolute gold in June. He is also a two-time combat jiu-jitsu world champion. Aitken is a proven finisher and a definite player in this bracket.
Dark Horses: Jay Rodriguez, Vagner Rocha, Achilles Rocha
Jay-Rod burst onto the scene in 2022 when he went seven for seven with submissions winning the ADCC West Coast Trials. Rodriguez has the ability to compete with anyone in this bracket. Rodriguez excels in scrambles and taking the back.
Multiple-time ADCC World medalist Vagner Rocha is the most seasoned veteran in this bracket. The ageless wonder is still competing at the highest levels in the sport to this day. Vagner is an absolute buzz saw on the mats and very difficult to deal with in this ruleset.
Son of Vagner Rocha, Achilles is one of the true wild cards in this division. He is extremely explosive and truly can pull lightning-quick submissions out of nowhere.
How to watch: The 2024 ADCC World Championships take place on August 17-18 and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).