Roberto Jimenez, William Tackett set to compete at Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Middleweights
Roberto Jimenez, William Tackett, and other elite grapplers have been announced for Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Middleweights.
The middleweights are set to compete at the next Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ) event, and the tournament is already filling up with elite grappling talent.
Slated to go down in Tucson, Arizona on December 22, Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Middleweights will feature the return of former CJJ welterweight champion Roberto Jimenez, as well as the CJJ debut of elite no-gi competitor William Tackett.
Other names announced for the event include reigning CJJ middleweight champion Ryan Aitken, UFC and Bellator MMA veteran Chris Dempsey, and ADCC Trials silver medalist Hunter Colvin, among others.
With the event still two weeks away and the bracket not yet fully complete, Tackett, Jimenez, and Aitken stand out as early favorites.
At just 22 years old, Tackett has firmly established himself as one of the world’s top no-gi competitors. He is an ADCC Trials winner, a multiple-time Who’s Number One veteran, and – following his recent victory over Eoghan O’Flanagan – the current Grapplefest 90kg champion.
Tackett’s younger brother, Andrew Tackett, recently claimed the CJJ Welterweight title with a spectacular performance back in March.
Like William Tackett, Jimenez is still in his early 20s and already a world-class competitor. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s most entertaining athletes thanks to his ultra-aggressive, submission-hunting style, Jimenez owns recent notable victories over Roosevelt Sousa, Thomas Bracher, and fellow CJJ competitor Hunter Colvin.
Jimenez captured the CJJ welterweight title in 2021, submitting four opponents in dominant fashion.
If either Tackett or Jimenez hope to claim the middleweight title, they’ll likely have to get past current champion Ryan Aitken. The 10th Planet black belt is a talented athlete with excellent all-around skills who performs particularly well in the EBI and CJJ ruleset. Fresh off an impressive, title-winning performance at Main Character Jiu-Jitsu, Aitken will have a target on his back as the CJJ titleholder.
Current competitors announced for Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Middleweights
- Ryan Aitken (champion)
- William Tackett
- Roberto Jimenez
- Hunter Colvin
- Calon Sabino
- Chris Dempsey
- Javier Torres
- Joe Kropschot
- Bobby Emmons
- Gabriel De Los Santos
- Jose Munoz
- Caleb Crump
How to watch: Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Middleweights takes place on Friday, December 22, and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required).
