The second edition of the IBJJF The Crown will take place this weekend, Sunday November 17, and the brackets are finally revealed for this invitation-only tournament. The best of the best are entered into these six divisions with big prize money and glory on the line.

With such numerous divisions, each match is full of dynamite and could end in an explosive submission or a grueling match between elite black belts. Nonetheless, we’ve found one match in each division that generates the most interest and intrigue.

• Diego Pato vs. Osvaldo Queixinho

At featherweight the bracket is very deep and a lot of people have a chance to win, but for my money this is the most interesting matchup. Diego moves up to featherweight here, but moving up is never a problem for him, and he will face the returning Moizinho as one of the first matches of the event. Moizinho has always been active as a Masters competitor and coach, but hasn’t been as active as an adult – but he still has a great style, tons of experience and a looping starter who can put no no matter who is in danger.

Pato, meanwhile, has some of the best leg locks and backhand guards in modern jiu-jitsu – and that’s really the most intriguing aspect here. How can someone with an old school style handle all these new approaches Pato is taking? We have seen that some are able to shut it down completely, while others become victims of the latest trends. How will it be here?

• Cassia Moura vs. Thaynara Victoria

The two youngest in the tournament meet first! Cassia burst onto the scene as a woman who went from blue belt to black belt in just one year, a record by IBJJF requirements. She followed that up by winning Jiu-Jitsu Con in her black belt debut – and is already ranked in the world. She made The Crown her first major event against the elite and now this unstoppable featherweight has her chance.

First off, though, she has another rookie and veteran WNO black belt in Thaynara Victoria. Thaynara is a DreamArt prospect who has been very impressive in his young career, including a medal at the recent IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championships. Now she puts the kimono back on the face with Cassia in the first round. Whoever wins will make a big statement about the trajectory of their career.

• Tainan Dalpra vs. Gabriel Galvão

Is Dalpra under surveillance? He is still one of the best in the world, a two-time world champion black belt and returning Crown champion. He possesses a world-class game in all facets of jiu-jitsu, from guarding and passing to control and submission. However, after a remarkable start in his race to black belt, he suffered defeats at the last two Worlds and must rebuild some of that aura he had a few years ago, where he looked like the best talent in the book for sports book. To do this, a victory at The Crown is essential.

At the very start of this run, however, he will face the hungriest and youngest person in the division. Gabriel Galvão won double gold at Worlds at brown belt and, in his black belt debut, defeated world silver medalist Francisco Lo – who defeated Tainan by DQ at Worlds. Now, if he can take out the top dog in the group early, he can change his entire career trajectory and announce himself as elite early on.

• Patrick Gaudio vs Rider Zuchi

These are two big and powerful black belts who will find themselves in the middle of the mat to settle things. Patrick Gaudio finally returned to the gi this year and won the Brasileiros in impressive fashion and Rider probably had his best year winning a medal at the Worlds. Both guys have solid takedowns, tons of pressure, and plenty of power to throw in any position. When they meet in the first round, expect something dramatic to happen.

• Melissa Stricker vs. Isabely Lemos

World champion Melissa Stricker is one of the most aggressive and powerful female black belts in the game and she brings ti every time she steps on the mat. She now has the chance to welcome a young and new black belt who has a very similar style to Isa Lemos. Isabely won the double brown belt at Worlds and had a very impressive campaign, using her size and speed to dominate on the mats. What does this current confrontation against the next generation look like? Let’s see.

• Gutemberg Pereira vs. Felipe Costa

This is one of the most intriguing matchups of the first round, as AOJ’s Pereira takes on Six Blades’ Laranjinha. Gutemberg had a great start to the year, winning a double gold medal at the Euros, but lost a bit at the Worlds where he failed to medal in the open or weight. Now he has his chance to redeem himself and win a crown title, which would be the biggest achievement of his career. Felipe, meanwhile, spent most of the year focusing on no-gi, with a bronze medal at ADCC to prove it. Now if he can step up and make a statement, he can become one of the best multi-style athletes in jiu-jitsu. But to do this, he must first pass through Gutemberg.