An initiative from female competitors sparked debate about gender equality in ADCC. Female athletes are rallying behind a petition that challenges the current qualification system for the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Championships, arguing that women face unfair barriers to reaching the sport’s most prestigious stage.
The dispute centers on the structure of ADCC trials, where male competitors receive two opportunities per region to qualify across five weight classes, while women get only one chance across three weight classes. This discrepancy has left accomplished athletes like European trials winner Injana Goodman unable to advance to the world championships despite their victory. You can sign the petiton here. The petition currently has 657 signatures.
The petition states: “If I were a man, I would be going to ADCC Worlds right now. I won the first European trials on the 6th of September—but because I am a woman, the first trials don’t count for me.”
Currently, the first trials for women are treated as preparation events, with only the second trials in each region offering actual qualification spots. This means men compete in what could be considered practice runs that still provide advancement opportunities, while women’s first trials serve no qualifying purpose despite having the same entry fees and competitive demands.
Some competitors questioned the logic. “Why is it referred to as a trial if you don’t even move onto anything by winning it?” asked one athlete, pointing to the disconnect between the event’s branding and its consequences for female participants.
The petition argues that this inequality extends beyond individual athletes, potentially limiting the growth and visibility of women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu overall. Supporters point to successful female divisions in IBJJF competitions, ONE Championship, and MMA promotions as proof that fans are eager to watch elite women compete when given the platform.
Still, retroactively counting first trials results has critics. Some argue that changing the rules after events have concluded would be unfair to elite athletes who skipped the first trials precisely because they knew qualification wasn’t on the line.
Statistical analysis of past trials shows wide gaps in participation between men’s and women’s brackets, but critics argue those numbers might shift if women were given equal opportunities to qualify.
Whether organizers respond or not, the conversation has already forced grappling’s biggest stage to confront tough questions about a growing market.
