The ADCC San Diego Open 2026 took place on January 24th, 2026 and several top competitors took the opportunity to get their year off to a big start. There were plenty of ADCC veterans alongside top prospects looking to make their debut at ADCC 2026, making this the ideal practice opportunity for ADCC Trials. The two double champions came from opposite sides of the spectrum; with one being an experienced competitor and the other an exciting young prospect. Elder Cruz dominated the men’s divisions, winning all 6 of his matches and netting 4 submissions in order to win both the under 100kg and absolute divisions.
Then in the women’s divisions, teenage star Joslyn Molina submitted all 4 of her opponents to win gold at under 70kg and in the absolute. Both her and Cruz had some tough opposition in their absolute finals too, as Molina had to beat under 80kg champion Maria Ruffatto and Cruz had to beat over 100kg champion Helder Junior. The lightest division available also saw someone walk away with two gold medals, although in a slightly different fashion. Marilyn Cruz was the woman who won the under 50kg division but she didn’t just compete at adult, she also won the masters division at the same weight.
There was plenty of other big names taking home gold medals too; with Richard Alarcon registering a particularly impressive performance by beating 4 opponents and 3 by submission at under 65kg. Michael Sainz also made an appearance at under 76kg, where he also beat 4 opponents to win gold. Undoubtedly the most stacked division was the women’s under 65kg though, where Morgan Black had to beat two other top competitors to win. She earned a decision win in the opening round against Rana Willink before outscoring Leilani Bernales 3-0 in the final, proving exactly why she’s one of the favorites to wi an invite to ADCC later this year.
ADCC San Diego Open 2026 Full Results
Men’s Divisions
Under 55kg
1 – James Comerford
2 – Kai’noa Dozier
3 – Asher Moore
Under 60kg
1 – Alexander Mendez
2 – Joey Diehl
3 – Joshua Branstetter
Under 65kg
1 – Richard Alarcon
2 – Ian Morken
3 – Jonathan Marrero
Under 70kg
1 – Brady Branscum
2 – Derin Yusufi
3 – Kawehi Gillcoat
Under 76kg
1 – Michael Sainz
2 – Marcelo Montanagna
3 – Michael Diffley
Under 83kg
1 – Jairod James
2 – Nick Ortiz
3 – Said-Magomed Esembaev
Under 91kg
1 – Eduardo Castillo
2 – Sean Yadimarco
3 – Giuseppe Lamanna
Under 100kg
1 – Elder Cruz
2 – Abraham La Montagne
3 – Brandon George
Over 100kg
1 – Helder Junior
2 – Corbin LaPorte
3 – Brandon George
Absolute Division
1 – Elder Cruz
2 – Helder Junior
3 – Brandon George
Women’s Divisions
Under 50kg
1 – Marilyn Cruz
2 – Katherine Lo
3 – Terry Romero
Under 55kg
1 – Iris Liu
2 – Ashley Maziol
3 – Laylah Watkins
Under 60kg
1 – Ashley Maziol
2 – Shye Lilly
3 – Emily Thomas
Under 65kg
1 – Morgan Black
2 – Leilani Bernales
3 – Rana Willink
Under 70kg
1 – Joslyn Molina
2 – Thomasina Fizdale
3 – Margaret Sun
Under 80kg
1 – Maria Ruffatto
2 – Natasha Dillon
3 – Gabriella Bermudez
Over 80kg
1 – Sarah Blochowsky
2 – Ashley Sargent
Absolute Division
1 – Joslyn Molina
2 – Maria Ruffatto
3 – Rana Willink
The full ADCC San Diego Open 2026 event replay, including all of the above results, is available to watch on FloGrappling, click here to subscribe and watch.
