The Forca Method BJJ Top 100 is an editorial ranking updated regularly. We weight competitive results across ADCC, IBJJF World Championships, IBJJF Pan and European Championships, and major submission-only events (Who's Number One, Emerald City Invitational, Polaris). For athletes who compete in MMA at a high level (UFC, ONE Championship), we factor grappling pedigree and performance at the highest levels. Gi and no-gi lists are scored independently — gi credentials do not transfer to the no-gi ranking and vice versa.

Rankings reflect overall career achievement and recent competitive activity. An athlete with a dominant recent run outranks a legend who hasn't competed. These are the editorial opinion of Forca Method and are not affiliated with or endorsed by ADCC, IBJJF, or any governing body. Active competitors are indicated with a green dot 🟢.

Train smart. Fuel right.

Explode & Roll — built for grapplers who show up and put in the work.

Shop Now →

Jiu Jitsu Athlete Rankings FAQ: ADCC vs IBJJF Rankings Explained

What are Jiu Jitsu athlete rankings?

Jiu Jitsu athlete rankings are systems used to measure and compare the competitive success of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitors over time. Rankings help fans, athletes, coaches, and sponsors understand who is performing at the highest level within a given ruleset or organization.

The two most recognized ranking systems in submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) rankings and the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) rankings. While both systems identify elite athletes, they measure success differently and often produce different lists of top competitors.

Understanding how ADCC rankings and IBJJF rankings work is important for anyone following competitive BJJ, whether you're a casual fan, competitor, coach, or analyst.

What is the IBJJF ranking system?

The IBJJF ranking system awards points based on performance in sanctioned tournaments throughout the year. Athletes accumulate points through podium finishes at major competitions such as:

IBJJF World Championships
Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships
European Championships
Brazilian Nationals
Open tournaments

Athletes who consistently compete and place well at these events rise through the rankings.

Unlike subjective rankings, the IBJJF ranking system is heavily based on objective tournament results and accumulated points.

What is the ADCC ranking system?

ADCC rankings focus primarily on no-gi submission grappling and are heavily influenced by performances at ADCC Opens, ADCC Trials, and the ADCC World Championships.

Many fans consider ADCC the Olympics of no-gi grappling because the world's best submission grapplers compete under a ruleset that rewards submissions and positional dominance.

Because ADCC Worlds occur every two years, rankings often combine recent tournament performance with championship results to determine who belongs among the elite.

Which ranking system is more important: ADCC or IBJJF?

This depends on the athlete's goals and specialization.

For gi competitors, IBJJF rankings remain the gold standard because they reflect success against the deepest pool of gi competitors in the world.

For no-gi athletes, many fans consider ADCC rankings more prestigious because ADCC World Championship titles are often viewed as the highest achievement in submission grappling.

Today, many elite athletes compete in both organizations, making comparisons even more interesting.

How are IBJJF rankings calculated?

IBJJF rankings are calculated using a points-based system.

Athletes earn points by placing in tournaments, with larger tournaments awarding significantly more points than smaller events.

For example:

World Championship gold medals earn more points than Open tournaments.
Pan Championships earn more points than local events.
Black belt divisions carry greater significance than lower belts.

The ranking system rewards consistency, activity, and success throughout the season.

How are ADCC rankings calculated?

Unlike the standardized IBJJF point structure, ADCC rankings often place greater emphasis on:

ADCC World Championship performance
ADCC Trials victories
ADCC Open results
Wins against highly ranked opponents
Submission victories

Because ADCC competition occurs less frequently, major championship performances can dramatically affect rankings.

Why do some top athletes have low rankings?

Rankings do not always reflect who fans believe is the best athlete.

For example, a former ADCC champion may compete infrequently and therefore have a lower ranking than a highly active competitor who accumulates points throughout the season.

This creates an important distinction between:

Best athlete
Most accomplished athlete
Highest ranked athlete

These are not always the same person.

Why do rankings change so often?

Competitive BJJ evolves rapidly.

Athletes move between weight classes, switch teams, retire, suffer injuries, and change competitive focus.

A single tournament result can significantly alter rankings, especially when highly ranked athletes lose to rising stars.

This constant movement keeps rankings dynamic and exciting.

What makes ADCC so prestigious?

The ADCC World Championship is considered by many to be the toughest no-gi grappling tournament in the world.

Reasons include:

Elite international field
Submission-focused rules
Limited opportunities to qualify
Extremely difficult Trials events

Winning ADCC often cements an athlete's legacy permanently.

Many competitors spend years trying to qualify for a single ADCC appearance.

What makes IBJJF Worlds so important?

The IBJJF World Championship is widely regarded as the most prestigious gi tournament in the world.

To win IBJJF Worlds, athletes often must defeat multiple world-class opponents over several days.

The depth of talent in IBJJF black belt divisions is unmatched, making world titles incredibly difficult to earn.

Many athletes consider an IBJJF World Championship the pinnacle of gi competition.

Can an athlete be ranked highly in both ADCC and IBJJF?

Yes.

Several athletes have achieved success in both organizations.

Historically, competitors such as:

Roger Gracie
Marcus Almeida
Andre Galvao
Mica Galvao

have demonstrated excellence across multiple formats.

However, specialization has become increasingly common as competition levels rise.

Why are no-gi rankings becoming more popular?

No-gi grappling has experienced explosive growth.

Several factors have contributed:

Professional grappling leagues
Increased online streaming
ADCC expansion
More sponsorship opportunities
Faster-paced matches

As a result, ADCC rankings now receive unprecedented attention from fans and media.

What is the difference between gi and no-gi rankings?

Gi rankings primarily reflect performance in traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.

No-gi rankings emphasize submission grappling performance without the kimono.

The skill sets overlap significantly, but strategic differences often lead athletes to specialize in one format.

This is why some elite gi athletes rarely appear in ADCC rankings and vice versa.

How important are ADCC Trials?

ADCC Trials are among the most difficult tournaments in grappling.

Winning a Trial earns qualification to ADCC Worlds.

Because only one athlete advances from each bracket, competitors often face multiple elite opponents in a single day.

Many fans consider a Trials victory nearly as impressive as winning a major championship.

Do rankings determine who is the best grappler?

Not necessarily.

Rankings measure competitive achievement and activity.

The "best" grappler may be:

Injured
Retired
Competing in another organization
Fighting MMA
Taking time away from competition

Rankings provide valuable information but should not be viewed as the final answer in debates about greatness.

What metrics matter most in ADCC rankings?

Important factors often include:

Championship wins
Submission percentage
Wins over ranked opponents
Trials victories
Overall competitive record

Athletes who finish matches by submission generally gain more attention than athletes who consistently win by points.

What metrics matter most in IBJJF rankings?

IBJJF rankings heavily emphasize:

Tournament placement
Championship performance
Seasonal consistency
Event participation

Athletes who compete frequently often rise faster than athletes who compete only occasionally.

Who are the greatest ADCC competitors of all time?

Many experts include:

Andre Galvao
Marcelo Garcia
Roger Gracie
Gordon Ryan

These athletes have accumulated multiple championships while defeating elite opposition.

Who are the greatest IBJJF competitors of all time?

Frequently mentioned names include:

Roger Gracie
Marcus Almeida
Leandro Lo
Rodolfo Vieira

Their records at the World Championships helped define modern competitive BJJ.

Why do rankings matter for sponsorships?

Sponsors often evaluate rankings when selecting athletes.

Higher-ranked competitors typically receive:

Greater visibility
More media opportunities
Seminar invitations
Brand partnerships
Sponsorship contracts

Rankings help quantify competitive success for businesses investing in athletes.

How should fans use rankings?

Rankings are best viewed as a tool rather than a final verdict.

They can help fans:

Follow rising stars
Compare competitive resumes
Understand tournament significance
Track seasonal performance
Identify championship contenders

The most informed fans combine rankings with direct observation of athlete performance.

What is the future of Jiu Jitsu athlete rankings?

As professional grappling continues to grow, rankings will likely become more sophisticated.

Future systems may incorporate:

Strength of schedule
Submission rate
Opponent quality
Match analytics
Advanced performance metrics

Whether following ADCC rankings, IBJJF rankings, or both, rankings remain one of the best ways to track the evolution of elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and identify the athletes shaping the future of the sport.

Your cart is empty

BJJ Top 100 Rankings

Full Rankings

Tournament Central

In the Spotlight

Explore More

About These Rankings