The ADCC has officially confirmed its first wave of invitees for the 2026 World Championship with UFC lightweight MMA star Mateusz Gamrot among those named to the men’s 170 lbs (77 kg) bracket.
The announcement published in the organization’s updated competitor list for the September 12–13 event at Tauron Arena in Kraków Poland brings the division’s confirmed entries to five of a sixteen man field. The same update also confirmed Fabricio Andrey as an invitee in the 145 lbs (66 kg) division.
Gamrot, who previously competed at ADCC in 2015 returns to the event more than a decade later as a seasoned UFC veteran. Given that the 2026 championship is being staged in his home country the invitation was not a surprise.
The irony here is that UFC has begun greenlighting grappling matches for their talent while UFC BJJ has announced it would be only allowing some of it’s roster to compete this year and none starting next year.
The Gamrot announcement arrives against the backdrop of an unresolved and increasingly conspicuous silence from ADCC regarding Izaak Michell, 26, who earned his place in the same 170 lbs (77 kg) bracket by winning the Asia Trials.
Since then Michell has become the subject of serious allegations from multiple women resulting in a second degree felony charge. He has also been placed on Hays County’s Top 12 Fugitives list in Texas with authorities offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his apprehension or indictment. His last known address was in Austin within Travis County and law enforcement has noted he may have traveled to Thailand around the time the trials took place.
ADCC’s official accounts have issued no statement on the matter. Outreach seeking comment on Michell‘s eligibility went unanswered. Mateusz Luckiewicz, head of the ADCC Poland marketing team similarly declined to provide a statement when contacted.
The only public remarks to emerge came from Mo Jassim, a former ADCC promoter who no longer holds an official role with the organization. Jassim was careful to frame his response as personal perspective rather than any organizational position.
“Another thing to remember is Izaak is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and has a right to defend himself.”
Jassim outlined two possible scenarios. In the first Michell engages with the legal process and either is found innocent or if convicted would be unable to compete in any case. The second scenario is where his position shifts.
“If he avoids court appearances and becomes a fugitive,” Jassim said.
“My recommendation would be to remove him and give the spot to the second place Asia Trials finisher, Kenta.”
As it stands Michell‘s name remains on the official list without qualification or caveat.
The 2026 championship is also generating friction over ticket pricing with costs for the Kraków event on par with or worse than what fans paid in Las Vegas two years ago. That comparison is difficult to justify when major European MMA promotions operating in the region such as KSW and Oktagon regularly fill arenas at a fraction of the price. Poland has a deep combat sports fanbase with established expectations around ticket costs and pricing the event at American rates for a Polish venue is a disconnect that has not gone unnoticed. It remains unclear who the intended audience actually is.
ADCC now finds itself in a strange position heading into what should be a marquee event. The organization is navigating an unacknowledged eligibility controversy a pricing structure that alienates local fans and a competitor list that remains largely incomplete.
ADCC 2026 Confirmed Participants So Far
Men’s 145 lbs (66 kg)
Diogo Reis — Returning champion
Niko Mikuliszyn — Trials winner
Dorian Olivarez — Trials winner
Yigit Hanay — Trials winner
Fabricio Andrey — Invited
Men’s 170 lbs (77 kg)
Mica Galvão — Returning champion
Magomed Dzharbaev — Trials winner
Jacob Bornemann — Trials winner
Nikolay Vetrov — Trials winner
Mateusz Gamrot — Invited
Men’s 194 lbs (88 kg)
Giancarlo Bodoni — Returning champion
Pawel Jaworski — Trials winner
Jon Thor Blank — Trials winner
Marlon Tajik — Trials winner
Men’s 218 lbs (99 kg)
Kaynan Duarte — Returning champion
Declan Moody — Trials winner
Achilles Rocha — Trials winner
Eoghan O’Flanaghan — Trials winner
Men’s 218+ lbs (99+ kg)
Felipe Pena — Returning champion
Mark Macqueen — Trials winner
Brandon Reed — Trials winner
Haisam Rida — Trials winner
Women’s 121 lbs (55 kg)
Adele Fornarino — Returning champion
Janette Gloger — Trials winner
Women’s 143 lbs (65 kg)
Ana Vieira — Returning champion
Injana Goodman — Trials winner
Women’s 143+ lbs (65+ kg)
Rafaela Guedes — Returning champion
Anabel Lopez — Trials winner
