The 2024 Jiu-Jitsu Master World Championship, organized by the IBJJF, took place at the Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA, drawing over 10,000 athletes. The event concluded on Saturday, August 31st, and featured a notable presence from renowned coach and leader of Nova União, Dedé Pederneiras, who also conducted a seminar during this year’s edition.

In an exclusive interview with TATAME, Dedé praised the high level of competition at the Master World Championship and highlighted how athletes are preparing more rigorously for each edition. He emphasized that the tournament plays an increasingly important role in the growth of the sport.

Dedé also reflected on an interview he gave five years ago, where he predicted that Jiu-Jitsu would eventually surpass MMA in growth. At the time, he declared that Jiu-Jitsu had greater potential for expansion, and today, he believes that prediction has come true.

“When the Masters World Championship first started, many competitors would attend to socialize and reconnect with old friends. That’s no longer the case. The ‘old guys’ are now highly trained professionals, and each competition is tougher than ever. The level of preparation has skyrocketed. I have to commend the IBJJF and CBJJ for their tremendous work in fostering Jiu-Jitsu’s growth,” Dedé remarked.

He continued, “Seeing a structure like this shows the incredible progress being made, and I believe it will only keep growing. Five years ago, I said that MMA had reached a peak—it would keep growing, but at a slower rate. On the other hand, for Jiu-Jitsu, the sky’s the limit. What I said back then is now becoming reality.”