Kaynan Duarte vs Yuri Simoes Set for ADCC 2026 Super-Fight
Kaynan Duarte will defend the ADCC super-fight title against Yuri Simoes at ADCC 2026 in Krakow after Gordon Ryan's retirement.
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Kaynan Duarte will defend the ADCC super-fight title against Yuri Simoes in the headline bout of the 2026 ADCC World Championships, which run September 12-13 in Krakow, Poland, at Tauron Arena. The pairing replaces the Gordon Ryan matchup that grappling fans had circled for two years, with Ryan out of the picture after stepping away from the sport.
Duarte earned the shot by winning the 2024 absolute tournament, part of a double-gold performance that year. Simoes gets his crack at the belt as the man Ryan beat by points in the 2024 super-fight, and the two already have history: Duarte took a decision over Simoes in the over-99 kg semifinals back at ADCC 2019 en route to his first world title.
Who Else Is Confirmed for ADCC 2026
The full field is now set, and it includes a wave of late roster shuffling. All eight reigning ADCC champions were locked in as of February, and trials winners from Asia and Oceania, EMEA, South America and the West Coast have since filled out the bracket alongside notable invites like Mateusz Gamrot, Fabricio Andrey, Adam Wardzinski, Mateusz Szczecinski and returning legend Gabi Garcia, who comes back for the women's over-65 kg bracket.
But the card has also lost several names fans expected to see. Reigning champions Mica Galvao, Diogo Reis and Giancarlo Bodoni are absent, and no UFC BJJ champions made the trip over. Izaak Michell was pulled from the event after being wanted by authorities on a sexual assault charge, with Taylor Pearman stepping into his spot. Adele Fornarino was also removed following her booking in a UFC BJJ flyweight tournament, replaced by Valerie Hamilton.
The most recent shakeup hit the women's 66 kg bracket, where reigning champion Rafaela Guedes was pulled from the lineup along with Jacob Rodriguez and Josh Cisneros. Rodriguez has since confirmed he is skipping ADCC 2026 to compete at UFC BJJ 11 instead. Gabi Pessanha is reportedly stepping in for Guedes, giving the multiple-time IBJJF world champion a shot at a rare Super Grand Slam if she can add ADCC gold to her gi resume. Two slots, at 66 kg and 88 kg, remain open.
What It Means for the Grappling Betting Market
Losing Gordon Ryan from the marquee matchup changes the entire tenor of the super-fight betting conversation. Ryan's fights carried built-in favorite status almost regardless of opponent, and books priced him accordingly. Duarte-Simoes is a much more competitive style matchup on paper: Duarte's suffocating top pressure and passing against Simoes' well-rounded no-gi wrestling and guard game, with a live rematch angle since Duarte already has a decision win over him. Expect this line to open closer than any Ryan super-fight has in years, and expect early market interest given the name recognition of both men in the no-gi division.
The absence of Galvao, Reis, Bodoni and the UFC's BJJ contingent also thins out what would have been the deepest field in ADCC history, which should tighten the pricing on several weight-class brackets once oddsmakers start posting outrights closer to September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is fighting in the ADCC 2026 super-fight?
Kaynan Duarte will defend the ADCC super-fight title against Yuri Simoes at the 2026 ADCC World Championships, replacing the expected matchup with retired champion Gordon Ryan.
When and where is ADCC 2026?
ADCC 2026 takes place September 12-13, 2026, at Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland.
Which reigning ADCC champions are not competing at ADCC 2026?
Reigning champions Mica Galvao, Diogo Reis and Giancarlo Bodoni are not on the confirmed ADCC 2026 roster, and no UFC BJJ champions were invited.
