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IBJJF No-Gi Europeans open in Rome with entries at capacity
Four days of black belt no-gi action at PalaPellicone, streaming on FloGrappling through Nov. 1
ROME — The IBJJF European No-Gi Championship begins today at PalaPellicone in Lido di Ostia and runs through Nov. 1. The federation says the event has reached full capacity and closed registration. Brackets and the schedule were due out Oct. 24 on bjjcompsystem.com. FloGrappling is streaming all four days and has published a list of notable black belt entries. Last year's edition, also in Rome, set the bar for rookie black belts: Pawel Jaworski took the 85 kg and absolute divisions, Injana Goodman won at 66 kg and was absolute runner-up, and Gabrieli Pessanha won the women's absolute. Jaworski has since won ADCC gold at 88 kg in Krakow. The Euros are one of the four major no-gi events on the IBJJF calendar.
Why it mattersIt is the last big IBJJF no-gi test of the year in Europe, and it shows whether last year's breakout black belts and this season's ADCC form carry over.
ADCC rulebook: sideline interference can forfeit an athlete's match
Head judges may stop bouts, declare forfeits and eject coaches, parents and fans, even if the athlete was uninvolved
ADCC's 2026 rules document, dated Sept. 24, bars coaches, parents, guardians and spectators from the marked competition area during a match. Unauthorized entry, interference, threats toward participants or officials, and refusal to follow instructions can bring immediate disqualification and forfeiture of the match, whether or not the athlete took part in or encouraged the conduct. Head judges may stop a match, declare a forfeit and remove offenders. Offenders also face suspension or a ban from future ADCC events. BJJEE reported the policy in late September. BJJ Doc linked it to the Krakow brawl involving fans after Dorian Olivarez's match. BJJ Heroes reports ADCC disqualified Olivarez from the world championships.
Why it mattersUnder the rule, an athlete can lose a match, and potentially a medal run, because of what a coach or fan does, which raises the stakes for team conduct at ADCC events.
ADCC silver medalist Corbe says he entered Krakow barely trained
The 26-year-old says a late invite, a coffee-and-candy diet and no strength work preceded his run to the 66 kg final
Gavin Corbe told BJJEE he nearly gave up on an ADCC invitation before one arrived late. His brother DeAndre was training in San Diego for the event while Gavin stayed home running their gym, Black Box. Gavin says he skipped strength and conditioning and arrived at a weight that was not ideal. He says he performs better when he has less to lose. BJJ Heroes' results show him beating Ryoma Anraku and Dominic Mejia by inside heel hook, then losing the 66 kg final to Kennedy Maciel by triangle armlock. Maciel is the son of ADCC champion Rubens 'Cobrinha' Maciel. Corbe's account is his own, as relayed by BJJEE.
Why it mattersCorbe's run to a final from a late invitation was one of the stranger stories of the Krakow worlds, and his account touches on how little preparation some invitees get.
Aliev disputes referee's point deduction in UFC 333 loss to Dawson
Unbeaten lightweight says a warning would have sufficed after back-of-head strikes; the penalty did not change the result
ABU DHABI — Nurullo Aliev, who lost his unbeaten record to Grant Dawson by unanimous decision at UFC 333, has publicly questioned referee Marc Goddard's decision to take a point in round one. Goddard halted the bout after Aliev landed several strikes to the back of Dawson's head. The referee said he had already warned Aliev. Aliev wrote on Instagram that he was one step from a finish and that a warning would have been enough, while saying he respects the call. Cards read 29-27 for Dawson across the board. Bloody Elbow reports Aliev lost rounds two and three on every card, so the deduction did not decide the outcome. Daniel Cormier backed the call on the broadcast, and many fans have praised Goddard. Sherdog notes Goddard also took a point from Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122 on Oct. 10.
Why it mattersThe case shows how strictly officials are now enforcing fouls, and a point deduction cannot be appealed once the card is final.
Unbeaten Smith steps in on 12 days' notice for Halloween UFC co-main
Moicano-Nolan card at the Meta APEX has already been reshuffled several times, with Smith replacing the injured Leal against Randy Brown
LAS VEGAS — UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan on Saturday at the Meta APEX is headlined by a lightweight bout between Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan. Its co-main event changed late. Undefeated welterweight Jacobe Smith (13-0) replaces Carlos Leal, who withdrew with an undisclosed injury, against Randy Brown. MMA Mania reports Smith took the fight on 12 days' notice. He beat Bruce Whitehead at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 and has finished all four of his UFC opponents. UFC's preview describes Brown as hovering just outside the welterweight top 15. Brown (20-8) has lost his last two, to Gabriel Bonfim and Kevin Holland. The main card starts at 8 p.m. Eastern on Paramount+, and the lineup is not final until weigh-ins.
Why it mattersShort-notice replacements decide how much a card is worth, and Smith's unbeaten record against a veteran gives the weekend a real test.
PFL turns to Dubai heavyweight title bout after Bishop's Chicago win
Nemkov defends against Bilostenniy on Nov. 14; Bishop became the first PFL women's flyweight champion
DUBAI — The Professional Fighters League's next major title fight is Vadim Nemkov's heavyweight defense against Sergei Bilostenniy on Nov. 14 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. It is the promotion's fourth show in the city, according to PFL's own announcement. The event follows PFL Chicago on Oct. 16, where Jena Bishop outpointed Liz Carmouche over five rounds. Bishop became the first PFL women's flyweight world champion, and ESPN noted she survived an early onslaught from Carmouche. PFL's social accounts have since teased a 2027 rematch between Bishop and undefeated Dakota Ditcheva. Nemkov won the heavyweight title in Lyon in December 2025 against Renan Ferreira, according to a PFL title summary from The Grueling Truth, a niche MMA site.
Why it mattersPFL is trying to build a title structure outside the UFC, and these two events show where its stars and storylines stand now.
