Elisabeth Clay made history at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship 2025 by becoming the first woman to submit Gabrieli Pessanha at black belt – defeating her in the final of the absolute division!
Pessanha entered the match as the heavy favorite. Over the last few years she has been nearly untouchable, winning ten IBJJF World Championship gold medals and transitioning seamlessly to no-gi competition, where she captured double gold at No Gi Worlds 2024.
Prior to this match, only three women had ever beaten her in competition – and none had submitted her at black belt.
Additionally, while Clay typically competes at middleweight or medium-heavyweight, Pessanha is a dedicated super-heavyweight.
The two had met twice before in the gi, with Pessanha winning both matches by submission.
Despite that history, Clay arrived in the absolute division in devastating form.
She submitted all four opponents in her own weight class, then finished three more in the absolute bracket before reaching the final.
Along the way, she handed ADCC 2024 double champion Adele Fornarino a submission loss via guillotine.
In the final, Clay immediately imposed her game.
She scored two points with a sweep and added two more after attacking a heel hook that sent both athletes out of bounds.
Holding a 4–0 lead, Clay returned to the leg entanglements and locked in another heel hook.
This time, Pessanha had no escape and was forced to tap.
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