This article is part of our ADCC 2024 coverage. To get live results, play by play, and commentary, we’ll have a live updates article running all weekend.
The under 77kg division of ADCC 2024 is almost full now, as another three competitors have received their invites to the event and they bring the total to 15 out of 16. ADCC have actually handed out far more invites than that during the build-up to this tournament, but this particular division has seen multiple ADCC Trials winners and other invitees leave to join the Craig Jones Invitational. This has given the promotion plenty of work over the last few weeks as they’e been busy finding replacements, and these three latest men to join the bracket are all fantastic competitors.
The first man joining is Garry Tonon, who will now be making fifth appearance at an ADCC world championship. Tonon won his first opportunity back in 2013 by winning ADCC Trials and he quickly became known as one of the most exciting competitors in the division. That earned him the ability to return in 2015 and 2017, the latter marking the first time he made it to the semi-finals. He finished in fourth place then and improved upon that again in 2019 when he left with a bronze medal. Although he went out in the opening round of ADCC 2022, he still remains a tough opponent for anyone who ends up facing him in the bracket.
Another exciting veteran from ADCC 2022 will also be returning, as Magid Hage is joining Tonon in the under 77kg division. This is actually the second time that Hage has received the call to replace someone, as he stepped up to take Lucas Lepri’s spot in 2022. Hage also went out in the opening round but he had a very tough draw back then, as he was up against the eventual bronze medalist Dante Leon. Hage is stepping in again and he’ll be bringing the same fast-paced and entertaining style that he’s known for against anyone who stands across from him.
The final of these three invites to the under 77kg division of ADCC 2024 went out to Isaque Bahiense, another competitor with experience at the event. Bahiense actually competed in the under 88kg division in 2022 after winning his place at the First ADCC South American Trials in that same year. He had the misfortunate of drawing the eventual champion in the first round, as he lost on points to Giancarlo Bodoni. Bahiense returned to the same weight class for both ADCC South American Trials this year but after leaving with a bronze medal in the second edition; he’s moved down to 77kg and will be a real threat at this weight.
The three latest invites to the under 77kg division at ADCC 2024 were all announced in a series of posts to the promotion’s official Instagram account:
