The first entrant for the absolute grand prix at Polaris 25 on September 30th, 2023 can now be announced, and he’s a reigning ADCC world champion.
Giancarlo Bodoni won the under 88kg division at ADCC 2022 after putting in one of the best performances of the entire event. Bodoni is a BJJ black belt under Lucas Lepri and moved to train under John Danaher at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu back in 2021. Later that year he won the ADCC North American Trials and earned his place at ADCC 2022, although he was still considered a long shot to win the division at the time.
Bodoni won his first match 6-0 on points before submitting the remaining three opponents in his weight class in order to become the new ADCC world champion. He’s no stranger to absolute divisions either as he entered it at ADCC 2022 and submitted the larger Haisam Rida in the opening round. Bodoni has established himself as one of the best grapplers on the planet already and he will be tough for anyone to beat at Polaris 25, no matter the size advantage they might have.
