Casablanca – Moroccan grappler Faris Ben-Lamkadem has secured his place at the 2026 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, becoming the first Moroccan to qualify for the prestigious global event.
Competing in the 88-kilogram division, Ben-Lamkadem will take on the world’s elite submission grapplers when the tournament takes place in Krakow, Poland, on September 12 and 13.
The achievement marks another milestone in the career of the British-Moroccan athlete, who competes under the nickname “Faradinho.”
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A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Ben-Lamkadem earned his black belt under legendary grappler Roger Gracie at the Roger Gracie Academy in London in 2022 and also trains with Los Bandidos.
He became the first British male athlete to win an IBJJF World No-Gi Championship at adult black belt level, establishing himself as a leading competitor in the -88kg category.
His qualification for ADCC Worlds now adds another significant chapter to his career.
Often regarded as the “Olympics of grappling,” the ADCC World Championship brings together elite competitors from disciplines including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, judo, sambo and catch wrestling.
The tournament features 16-athlete brackets across its weight divisions, with competitors earning places through regional ADCC Trials or receiving invitations based on their standing in the sport.
For Morocco, Ben-Lamkadem’s qualification represents a breakthrough moment for the country’s presence in elite international grappling.
The Moroccan fighter will now look to build on that achievement when he steps onto the mats in Krakow in September.
