The most exciting event in the world of competitive grappling is just up ahead. With it we preview the 88kg division!

This division is quite stacked but one notable absence is Yuri Simoes – he’s moved to the 99kg division in order to seek his 2nd ADCC title.

First names that come to mind looking at the bracket are Leandro Lo who has been on an incredible streak all year with a huge transformation to boot.

A post shared by @leandrolojj on Mar 21, 2017 at 2:19pm PDT

In the unlikely clash of worlds he’s met another prospect from this division Gordon Ryan – who went through his own incredible transformation this year.

Sunday isn’t rest day. And this is gonna be a fun adcc. Fun for me, at least.

A post shared by Gordon “King” Ryan (@gordonlovesjiujitsu) on Sep 3, 2017 at 5:06pm PDT

Even tho the two faced off already the entire community is buzzing about the outcome of the match – when it counts and an ADCC title stands on the line.

Notably one other competitor not to be underestimated is Keenan Cornelius. Atos black belt is one of the most respected across the board and he’s trained vigorously in the Andre Galvao camp in order to prepare for the occasion.

Keenan might be playing catch up as he’s suffered an injury of the knee earlier in the year.

Even though these 3 are all powerhouses one name not to be underestimated is Rustam Chsiev who earned a bronze in 2015 and hasn’t shied away from appearing at EBI and even defeated Rafael Lovato Jr last time. His unique blend of European wrestling and submission skills will make all of his fights riveting to watch.

Dillon Danis will also be trying to make a name for himself in this division. Having recently grappled Garry Tonon from 77kg division and losing it’s unclear how Dillon plans to keep up with the bigger guys.

List of -88kg competitors:

1. Craig Jones (Australia) – 1st Asian Trial winner
2. Jesse Urholin (Finland) – 1st European Trial winner
3. James Brasco (USA) – 1st North American Trial winner
4. Murilo Santana (Brazil) – 1st South American Trial winner
5. Kaynan Casemiro Duarte (Brazil) – 2nd South American Trial winner
6. Kit Dale (Australia) – 2nd Asian Trial winner
7. John Salter (USA) – 2nd North American Trial winner
8. Piotr Marcin Frechowicz (Poland) – 2nd European Trial winner
9. Romulo Barral (Brazil) – Invited
10. Keenan Cornelius (USA) – Invited
11. Gordon Ryan (USA) – Invited
12. Pablo Popovich (USA) – Invited
13. Alexandre Ribeiro (Brazil) – Invited
14. Leandro Lo (Brazil) – Invited
15. Dillon Danis (USA) – Invited
16. Rustam Chsiev (Russia) – Invited