Today’s Top BJJ News — October 4, 2026

Daily BJJ News Briefing

October 4, 2026 · Updated 8:11 AM -07:00

#1

Ruan Alvarenga Edges Shoya Ishiguro in ONE Fight Night 48 Grappling Match

Ruan Alvarenga defeated Shoya Ishiguro by split decision in a closely contested 10-minute featherweight submission grappling bout at ONE Fight Night 48 in Bangkok on October 2. Both athletes recorded a heel-hook catch, but the judges awarded the aggression factor to Alvarenga, giving him his second consecutive ONE victory. [2]

Why it matters: The match showcased the catch-based scoring and leg-lock exchanges that continue to define ONE’s submission grappling format. Alvarenga is increasingly becoming a relevant name in the organization’s featherweight division. [2]

Social hook: One catch apiece—but aggression gave Ruan Alvarenga the win over Shoya Ishiguro at ONE Fight Night 48.

#2

IBJJF No-Gi Pan Championship Crowns Its First 2026 Champions

The opening day of the 2026 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship concluded October 3 in Secaucus, New Jersey, with adult blue- and brown-belt champions and numerous masters winners crowned. The tournament continues Sunday, October 4, with the adult black-belt divisions taking center stage. [40]

Why it matters: More than 2,300 athletes are registered for one of the year’s largest IBJJF no-gi events, making Sunday’s black-belt competition an important indicator of current academy and athlete momentum following the ADCC season. [41]

Social hook: The road to IBJJF No-Gi Pan gold is down to the black belts—Sunday’s divisions are next.

#3

Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera Set for Submission-Grappling Rematch in Ecuador

Former UFC opponents Jose Aldo and Marlon “Chito” Vera are scheduled to meet again under submission-only grappling rules at Hype in Ecuador on Sunday, October 4. Aldo told MMA Fighting that he has done little specialized jiu-jitsu preparation and has mainly been playing tennis and footvolley ahead of the bout. [42]

Why it matters: The matchup brings two highly recognizable UFC names into a grappling setting and gives the event immediate crossover visibility beyond the traditional jiu-jitsu audience. The result remains pending as of October 4. [42]

Social hook: Jose Aldo says he barely trained jiu-jitsu—now he faces Marlon Vera under submission-only rules.

#4

Polaris 39 Puts Vacant Bantamweight Title on the Line in Doncaster

Polaris 39 took place October 3 in Doncaster, England, with Yuki Takahashi facing Shay Montague for the vacant bantamweight title. The card also featured Eoghan O’Flanagan vs. Tommy Langaker and Kywan Gracie vs. Danny Mitchell, with the event streamed on FloGrappling. [43]

Why it matters: The title fight connected two major competitive storylines: Takahashi’s recent EBI success and Montague’s status as an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and UFC BJJ competitor. Confirmed post-event results were not available in the primary sources reviewed for this update. [24]

Social hook: A vacant Polaris bantamweight title, an EBI champion, and an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion—Takahashi vs. Montague was built for chaos.

Editor’s Notes

ONE Fight Night 48 results and the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Day 1 results were verified through official or event-linked reporting. The Aldo–Vera matchup was confirmed as scheduled for October 4, 2026, but no final result was available in the reviewed sources. Polaris 39’s event date and title matchup were verified, but a confirmed post-event result for Takahashi vs. Montague was not located, so no winner is reported.

Sources

  1. https://www.flograppling.com/
  2. https://www.onefc.com/news/one-fight-night-48-mma-and-submission-grappling-results-cesar-and-alvarenga-emerge-victorious-in-bangkok/
  3. https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/513772/jose-aldo-respects-marlon-vera-but-playing-tennis-and-footvolley-enough-to-prepare-for-grappling-match
  4. https://www.flograppling.com/live/281463
  5. https://grapplersnews.jp/en
  6. https://agentmma.com/news/91048-jose-aldo-to-face-marlon-vera-in-submission-only-grappling-match-in-ecuador
  7. https://buildmygame.app/news/
  8. https://www.reddit.com/r/judo/comments/1wmlizv/seminar_with_olympic_judo_coach_in_frehold_nj/
  9. https://www.bjjnews.com/?cursor=eyJpZCI6IjMyN2U4N2ZmLTY0NjgtNGQyZS1hNzRmLWE3MDgxMWIxZjVlOCIsInNvcnRBdCI6IjIwMjYtMDktMDhUMTA6MTc6MTkuMDAwWiJ9&limit=16
  10. https://www.onefc.com/cn/category/submission-grappling/
  11. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wrb3j5/been_training_about_6_months_and_got_gold_at_my/
  12. https://www.ufc.com/news/updates-to-ufc-332-silva-vs-wang
  13. https://www.onefc.com/news/shoya-ishiguro-vs-ruan-alvarenga-featherweight-submission-grappling-match-added-to-one-fight-night-48/
  14. https://www.onefc.com/news/four-blockbuster-mma-and-submission-grappling-bouts-booked-for-one-fight-night-47/
  15. https://www.reddit.com/r/martialarts/comments/1wvhmj4/what_the_standup_phase_in_bjj_used_to_look_like/
  16. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wfp6bo/spoiler_post_2026_adcc_thread/
  17. https://www.ufc.com/images/ufcfoundation/community_report/2025_UFC_Community_Impact_Report.pdf
  18. https://www.flograppling.com/articles/16221794-2026-pan-ibjjf-no-gi-championship-day-1-winners
  19. https://www.polarisprograppling.com/events
  20. https://www.polarisprograppling.com/