ADCC Asia/Oceania Trials - Who to look out for

The road to the 2026 ADCC World Championship officially begins for Asia and Oceania on December 7, 2025, when Bangkok hosts the region’s first qualifying event.

Athletes from Japan, China, Australia, Kazakhstan, and across the Asia–Oceania region must win this first qualifier to earn their spot at the ADCC Worlds.

This event will serve as the first of two regional trials:

Only male professional divisions at this event will qualify for the world championship. The female divisions will have their qualification opportunity at the second trials, scheduled for 2026 in Gold Coast, Australia.

With generational shifts already seen in the European and East Coast Trials earlier this year, fans are eager to see whether similar upsets and breakthroughs will emerge here — or if the established veterans will defend their territory.

Notably, several standout athletes are changing weight classes this year, adding even more intrigue to the brackets.

Below, we highlight the key athletes to watch in each division, based on prior accomplishments, international experience, and current form.

Event Overview

• Date: December 7, 2025
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Broadcast: FloGrappling

Men’s Professional – 66 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• David Stoilescu (Sydney West Martial Arts)
• Kotaro Tamefusa (Carpe Diem)
• Bekzat Kapashov (ADCC Kazakhstan National Team)

Overview

At the 2024 Trials, the division was won by Ethan Thomas and Xu Huaiqing, but both have moved divisions this year — Ethan is out, and Xu is now competing at 77 kg.

That makes David Stoilescu the clear favourite. He placed third in both 2024 qualifiers and has been very active internationally, facing Gabriel Sousa at Subversion (losing by decision) and competing at the IBJJF European No-Gi Championships.

Challenging him will be Kotaro Tamefusa, who narrowly lost to Xu in the previous Trials, and Bekzat Kapashov, a powerful Kazakh grappler with a silver medal at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championships (purple belt).

Men’s Professional – 77 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• Izaak Michell (Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu)
• Kenta Iwamoto (Lotus Setagaya)
• Xu Huaiqing (Frota Academy)
• Hugh Boyd (Absolute MMA)
• Axyl Howie (Sydney West Martial Arts)
• Ariel Tabak (Kumite Jiu-Jitsu)

Overview

The 77 kg class is traditionally the deepest and most talent-packed division — and this year is no exception.

In 2024, Kenta Iwamoto and Levi Jones-Leary took gold in their respective Trials. Levi is absent this time, but Iwamoto returns as a three-time Trials champion, openly stating on social media that he’s in excellent form.

The biggest storyline, however, is Izaak Michell’s drop from 88 kg.
Already a world-class name at middleweight, Michell’s decision to cut down to 77 kg raises questions — but if he makes weight, he immediately becomes a top contender.

Outside the two frontrunners, this bracket is stacked with emerging names from powerhouse teams Absolute MMA and Sydney West Martial Arts, both of which are fielding multiple entrants.

Other notable additions include 2024 66 kg champion Xu Huaiqing, moving up a division, and submission specialist Ariel Tabak, making this one of the most unpredictable brackets of the weekend.

Men’s Professional – 88 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• Jozef Chen (B-Team Jiu-Jitsu)
• James Watson (10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Australia)
• Soshuke Oshima (Kotobuki Jiu-Jitsu)

Overview

With 2024 champions Izaak Michell (now at 77 kg) and Lucas Kanard (absent), the spotlight shifts to rising superstar Jozef Chen.

After breaking out at ADCC 2022 and earning global respect for his analytical approach to grappling, Chen now moves up from 77 kg to 88 kg — and is the clear favourite to win.

A dark horse to watch is James Watson, who shocked the Australian scene at the Street X Invitational by defeating local standouts Nico Maglicic and Kaya Rudolph, capturing the cash prize tournament title.

From Japan, Sosuke Oshima has gained valuable international experience since the last Trials and could present a stylistic challenge to Chen, depending on the bracket draw.

Men’s Professional – 99 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• Daniel Schuardt (Precision MMA)
• Nicholas Maglicic (Atos Jiu-Jitsu)
• Alibi Orazbek (ADCC Kazakhstan National Team)
• Harrison Everett (Sydney Wrestling Academy)

Overview

The 2024 division winners were Declan Moody and Daniel Schuardt. Moody has already qualified through the European Trials, so all eyes are on Schuardt, the defending regional champion.

Known for his tight guard and dangerous leg locks, Schuardt stands out as a technical grappler in a field often dominated by wrestlers and power players.

The biggest threat to his repeat title is Nicholas Maglicic, who recently defeated heavyweight standout Josh Saunders in a Subversion title match.

Kazakhstan’s Alibi Orazbek and Australia’s Harrison Everett — who faced Japan’s Oshima in Battleground — are also contenders to watch.

Men’s Professional – +99 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• Tito John Carle (Grappling Education)
• Mansur Makhmakhanov (AOGG Jiu-Jitsu)

Overview

With 2024 champion Josh Saunders not competing, the division opens up.

Mansur Makhmakhanov, who shared the division’s top honours last year, enters as the favourite, but Tito Carle — known for his powerful, methodical pressure game and multiple wars with Saunders — could easily take it.

Given the smaller number of entrants, this division is particularly unpredictable.

Women’s Professional – 55 kg Division

Athlete to Watch

• Kanae Ikeda (IGLOO)

Overview

Because this Trials does not grant women’s qualification for the ADCC Worlds, the entry list is smaller than usual.

In 2024, Adele Fornarino won gold and later captured double gold at the ADCC Worlds itself.
Ikeda, who lost to Fornarino in the previous Trials, returns after recovering from injury and remains a strong favourite to win here.

Women’s Professional – 65 kg Division

Athletes to Watch

• Mainz Richardson-Grau (Oasis Fight Academy)
• Machi Fukuda (Kotobuki Jiu-Jitsu)
• Wang Jue (Frota Academy)

Overview

Last year’s champion was Sula-Mae Loewenthal, who also qualified for Worlds.

Among the current field, Mainz Richardson-Grau has the most decorated record — she medaled at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds as a brown belt and enters as the favourite.
Wang Jue, winner of the 2024 Singapore Trials, also returns, while Machi Fukuda, known for her appearances in RIZIN, brings valuable MMA and grappling crossover experience.