EBI 26 is scheduled for November 16th, 2025 and the promotion had put together a fantastic lineup of elite welterweights who will battle it out under Combat Jiu-Jitsu rules. One of the main storylines leading in to the event is the fact that a two-time champion is returning with the goal of joining an elite group of competitors with 3 titles to their name. That man is Alan Sanchez, who has been on a phenomenal run over the last few years. It all started back in 2022 when Sanchez burst on to the scene by winning EBI 19, and he followed that up by winning EBI 22 just last year.
Sanchez might be the favorite on paper as the reigning welterweight champion, but he’s also never won the event under CJJ rules before. In fact, he actually narrowly lost in overtime in the final of CJJ Welterweight Worlds in 2023. He isn’t the only elite competitor from that bracket who’s been drafted in to the EBI 26 lineup either, as Derek Rayfield will be out for revenge against Sanchez after being submitted in the semi-final by him. They will be joined by fellow CJJ veterans like Andrew Kochel, Caleb Crump, and Osvaldo Canamar. That experience is invaluable of course, but there’s also UFC veteran Trey Ogden in the mix too.
From the grappling side of things, top prospect JJ Bowers is going to be one to watch in the bracket and Kevin Beuhring made a huge statement by winning the 10th Planet qualifier against some tough opposition. Shane Curtis is another big threat too and although he isn’t quite as well-known internationally as some of his opponents, he’s one of the top competitors on the UK circuit at this weight. Rounding out the bracket is Jonathan Wilson, Louis Accaria, Issa Able, and Brayan Peynado; while Juan Pablo Usma faces Adam Frank and Manning Leverett faces Fercho Martinez in a pair of fun superfights before the tournament final.
The full lineup for EBI 26: Welterweights was announced in a series of posts to the promotion’s official Instagram account:
