ADCC 2026 loses double champ Fornarino to UFC BJJ tournament
Two-division ADCC champion Adele Fornarino has been removed from the 2026 World Championships after accepting a spot in UFC BJJ's flyweight tournament, MMA Mania reports. She faces Carol Brunacio in the semis at UFC BJJ 10 on August 20, with the finals potentially conflicting with ADCC's September 12-13 event.
Fornarino's withdrawal marks the fourth reigning ADCC champion who will not return to defend a title. She has been replaced on the women's 55 kg bracket by trials runner-up Valerie Wong Hamilton. UFC BJJ has said it will strictly enforce exclusive contracts, and no current UFC BJJ champions are listed for ADCC 2026.
Michell removed after warrant revelation
In a separate change, ADCC quietly dropped Izaak Michell from the 77 kg division. Michell won the Asia and Oceania trials but reportedly has an active warrant for second-degree sexual assault in Texas and has been on the run from authorities for the past year. Multiple athletes criticized ADCC for keeping him on the roster for months after the warrant became public.
British star Taylor Pearman, a former trials winner and Polaris team grappling standout, will take Michell's spot. No official statement accompanied either roster update.
UFC BJJ 10 also features three title bouts, and the following event on September 24 will have bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci facing UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell in a crossover match.
Original reporting:
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