Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | Whatever your thoughts about the IBJJF, and people often have strong opinions one way or the other, there’s no arguing that the annual World Championships is the premier event when it comes to the gi. You’ll see the absolute best athletes in action, and there were plenty of incredible performances at the 2026 Worlds.

And while we saw some truly virtuoso performances from the likes of Tainan Dalpra, Gabi Pessanha and others, the event was marred by a number of notable moments. Namely, dubious disqualifications, questionable judges’ decisions, a couple of fake matches in the finals.

Episode 36 of @UnknownPressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

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Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

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Timestamps

0:00 IBJJF Worlds marks 30 years of history

3:03 Tainan Dalpra continues dominance

7:47 Pato sets record and retires

9:22 It’s stupid to try and criticize Art of Jiu-Jitsu

14:11 Gabi Pessanha, the lady GOAT

15:23 Gigantic Seif Eddine Houmine crushes the competition

18:27 Notable medalists from Worlds

19:38 Double guard pulls and dodgy DQs

29:07 The controversial fake matches

35:09 Did you know IBJJF has prize money?

36:35 The non-Brazilian brown belts winning gold

39:18 Brazilian bias is a problem for Worlds

42:42 Brown belts Nata Tenca and Livia Barasine