Helena Crevar, Cole Abate Claim Gold At 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship
ONE Championship superstars Helena Crevar and “Ice” Cole Abate added major milestones to their already impressive resumes at the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship, reinforcing their status as two of the brightest names in submission grappling today.
This past Sunday, both athletes captured black-belt gold, showcasing finishing instincts, composure, and technical authority against elite opposition.
With Crevar preparing for her long-awaited promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 39 against Hawaii’s Teshya Noelani Alo in a bantamweight submission grappling contest, and Abate coming off a statement victory in his first appearance for the organization, their performances at No-Gi Worlds underlined why they are viewed as central figures in the next generation of grappling talent.
Crevar delivered a breakthrough run in her first-ever black-belt no-gi appearance, capturing the medium heavyweight title with a perfect submission record. The 18-year-old phenom finished three opponents on day one to reach the final, then capped the tournament with another submission to secure gold.
Crevar took to social media to reflect on the milestone:
“Today, I became one of the youngest IBJJF World Black Belt Champions at age 18. This was also my IBJJF black belt debut. I had a bracket of 10, four fights, and won all by submission with no points scored on me.
“I really enjoyed competing at this high-level division against experienced black belts and I’m extremely grateful to my professors John Danaher and Gordon Ryan for being in my corner to coach me.”
She opened by submitting Bethany Wright before eliminating returning No-Gi World Champion Salla Simola with a rear-naked choke.
In the semifinals, Crevar controlled the action against Gabriela Miranda and secured a head-and-arm choke from guard to book her place in the final.
Returning the following day, Crevar sealed gold in dramatic fashion against Ane Svendsen, locking in a rear-naked choke in the final seconds to become one of the youngest athletes ever to win a black-belt No-Gi World Championship.
Abate’s path was equally authoritative.
The American grappling wizard moved up to lightweight after winning the featherweight No-Gi World Championship in 2024 and showed no signs of slowing down.
The 21-year-old American also shared his thoughts after the win:
“This year was my first time completing a full season of major competitions at black belt. I’ve had so much fun over the last 12 months and learned so much about myself along the way.
“Getting to travel the world and do what I love while leaving behind a blueprint for the next young champions to follow is priceless, and it reminds me of why I’m so passionate about all of this.”
On day one, the 21-year-old started fast. He took Lucas Queiroz’s back and finished with an armbar, then followed it up by catching Danilo Moreira with an inside heel hook after setting it up from a leg drag.
He carried that form into day two. In the semifinals, Abate dealt with Alessandro Botelho’s pressure, leaned on his guard work, and once again found the finish with a heel hook.
In the final, Abate met a familiar opponent in Julian Espinosa, where he controlled the match, built an early lead, and stayed in command to earn a clear points victory. The result gave him his second straight No-Gi Worlds Title and underlined just how consistent he has become at the sport’s highest level.
The run also builds on his growing profile in ONE Championship. After submitting Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki via heel hook at ONE Fight Night 26, Abate now moves forward with real momentum – alongside Crevar – as both look to turn elite grappling success into lasting impact on the global stage.
