ADCC 2026 Announces Yet Another Champion Isn’t Interested In Defending Title

John Davis

Gordon Ryan has retired from competition entirely. However, he is far from the only champion missing from the 2026 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship lineup.

The growing list of absent champions includes several of the biggest names in elite submission grappling. Kade Ruotolo, the 2022 -77kg champion, has declined to return. Multiple-time champion Giancarlo Bodoni, who won the -88kg division in 2022 and 2024, will also not compete. Two-time defending champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis, the 2022 and 2024 -66kg champion, is absent as well.

Mica Galvão, who captured the -77kg title in 2024, is also sitting out the event.

The women’s divisions have also lost major champions. Ffion Davies, the 2022 -60kg champion, and Beatriz Mesquita, the 2024 women’s absolute champion, are not part of the 2026 roster.

Questions have surrounded Giancarlo Bodoni‘s absence in particular. Initial reports suggested an injury, which would have explained why the defending champion would not return. However, recent appearances have created further discussion.

Bodoni was seen surfing during the July 4th weekend. While he has undergone surgeries on both his knee and shoulder, he appears to be recovering well. He has also opened his own jiu-jitsu academy and returned to teaching, suggesting that his decision to miss ADCC may be based more on personal priorities than physical limitations.

The absence of major champions may also be affecting fan interest. According to ticket sales tracking compiled by BJJDoc, sales have remained around 40% capacity throughout the promotional period.

May 20: 5,497 sold of 9,464 available (36.7%)
June 1: 5,812 sold of 8,149 available (38.8%)
June 23: 5,883 sold of 9,078 available (39.3%)
June 30: 5,918 sold of 9,043 available (39.6%)
July 13: 6,018 sold of 8,943 available (40.2%)

This is the best case scenario. The numbers have remained relatively stagnant, with multiple sections still withheld from public sales. That suggests organizers may be managing available inventory based on current demand.

The issue extends beyond former champions. Nick Rodriguez and Nicholas Meregali  have also expressed a lack of interest in competing at ADCC 2026, further reducing the depth of the field.

Not every champion is absent. Kaynan Duarte, the 2022 and 2024 -99kg and absolute champion, will compete, along with Felipe Pena, the 2024 +99kg champion, Ana Carolina Vieira, the 2024 women’s -65kg champion, and Rafaela Guedes, the 2024 women’s +65kg champion.

However, with several reigning champions absent, the event faces questions about its competitive depth heading into its biggest stage.

The latest departure came on July 11, when the official ADCC website removed Adele Fornarino from the 2026 competitor roster. The 2024 women’s -55kg champion joins Reis, Bodoni, and Galvão among the title holders who will not defend their championships. Her absence adds another major challenge for ADCC organizers as they prepare for the upcoming event.

One name that’s still suspiciously on the list is Izaak Michell. As of July 11th, ADCC lists him as an invitee despite several flograppling employees expressing skepticism about his invite and ‘hope that he’s not invited’ and Craig Jones even saying he’s not invited in a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani show.

Official invites as per official website:

Men -66 kg (16 competitors)

Men -77 kg (16 competitors)

Men -88 kg (16 competitors)

Men -99 kg (16 competitors)

Men +99 kg (16 competitors)

Women -55 kg (8 competitors)

Women -65 kg (8 competitors)

Women +65 kg (8 competitors)

Main event

John Davis