The atmosphere surrounding ADCC 2026 feels different from previous years, and veteran competitor Dante Leon has a theory about why.
Speaking on The FloGrappling Show while preparing for the upcoming World Championships in Krakow, Poland, Leon addressed the noticeable shift in pre-tournament energy.
“The hype behind the event seems to be a little bit different. It seems to be a little bit quieter this year just because I feel like Mo’s not involved and some of the people aren’t involved like that,” Leon explained, referencing the absence of Mo Jassim, who played a significant role in organizing previous editions.
Leon acknowledged that while the Tauron Super Arena “looks sick,” it lacks the same impact as venues like T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or even the 2019 event at the Anaheim Convention Center.
“It wasn’t Thomas and Mack. And at the time in 2019 when it was in the convention center in Anaheim with like, you know what was 4500 to 5,000 people like that was crazy for ADCC times. That was a huge revolution,” he said.
The four-time ADCC competitor noted that the three consecutive years of American events created unprecedented momentum. Being held stateside meant minimal travel and maximum accessibility for the sport’s growing American fanbase.
“It was in the US, so it didn’t really feel like you were traveling necessarily to like the Olympics because even though it is the Olympics,” Leon said.
Now, competitors face lengthy international flights and significant time zone adjustments.
Despite the reduced fanfare, Leon emphasized that the competition level remains as high as ever.
“As far as like the hype around the event, the cinematics, the kind of like wow factor of it, it doesn’t seem to be where it was at one time. But I think if you focus on that, it could be like some false hope because there’s obviously a very very well-versed, deep um skilled bracket kind of in every single division.”
The 77 kilogram (170 lbs) division where Leon competes features a mixture of dangerous new European talent and established veterans. Leon identified Mateusz Szczeciński, PJ Barch, and Vagner Rocha as top threats.
Poland’s hosting also opens the tournament to competitors who faced difficulty reaching American venues, particularly Russian athletes.
“It almost seems more fair because they obviously have a lot of very good grapplers,” Leon noted about the increased accessibility for international competitors.
