With famous names like Leandro Lo, Claudio Calasans, Erberth Santos and more drawing fan attention, we examine some of the up-and-comers entered into this year’s Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix. 

A mix of brown and black belts, these athletes represent the new generation of high-level competitors. Get to know them better ahead of this weekend's GP with these fact files.

Max Gimenis

From: Rio de Janeiro
Age: 23
Height: 6’2” (189cm)
Normal weight class: Super / ultra heavyweight (100.5kg / 222lb)

Accolades
• 2016 IBJJF brown belt World champion
• Abu Dhabi World Pro brown belt world champion
• Copa Podio brown belt superfight winner 

GF Team’s Gimenis is the biggest man in this tournament, cutting down all the way from ultra heavyweight to make the limit of 88kg. 

A recent arrival to the black belt ranks, Gimenis is a physically imposing and aggressive competitor made from the typical GF Team mold. 

A great top game and excellent guard passing, plus his sheer size, make him a dark horse in the line-up – and not one to be taken lightly. 

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Nicholas Meregali

From: Porto Alegre 
Age: 22
Height: 6’2” (190cm)
Normal weight class: Heavyweight (94.3kg / 208lb) 

Accolades
• 2016 IBJJF brown belt World champion (weight and absolute)
• 2016 IBJJF brown belt Pan champion (weight and absolute)
• 2016 IBJJF brown belt European heavyweight champion 
• UAEJJF #1 ranked brown belt
• Abu Dhabi World Pro brown belt world champion (weight and absolute)

Hailing from the south of Brazil, Meregali is the number one brown belt in the world today. We've featured him plenty here on FloGrappling. 

The student of Mario Reis has been on a tear this year, carving out a name for himself as one of the most talented and successful up and comers on the competition scene. 

He only got his brown belt one year ago, and depending on his performance at Copa Podio could even be in line for his black belt soon after. 

Follow him on Facebook and Instagram
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John Combs

From: Boulder, Colorado
Age: 25 
Height: 5’11” (180cm) 
Normal weight class: Middleweight (82.3kg / 181lb)

Accolades
• 2016 IBJJF brown belt Pan middleweight champion
• Fight To Win veteran 

Combs is one of the smallest competitors in the entire tournament, weighing in a full 15lb (6.8kg) under the maximum weight allowance. 

He was the last name announced for the GP, getting the call just over a week out from the event, and is a true wildcard among a pack of tough competitors. 

As Combs only got his black belt just two weeks ago, his opponents (or fans) won’t know too much about his game. But we can tell you he’s got a mean guillotine and loves latching onto his opponent’s necks. 

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Dan Borovic

From: Milwaukee 
Age: 24 
Height: 6’4”
Normal weight class: Medium heavy (88.3kg / 195lb)

Accolades
• Metamoris Challenger Champion 
• Abu Dhabi Pro Trials (Florida) weight and absolute winner 

Probably the least well-known competitor in this tournament, Borovic is a Croatian-born Serb living in Milwaukee. Representing Brasa and part of Comprido’s team, Borovic is the second brown belt among the pack. 

He’s best known for winning the Metamoris Challenger event, a little known series of feeder events hosted by the troubled promotion that was designed to highlight new talent, where he won every match by submission. 

He’s also the tallest competitor at 6’4”, though he walks around at 182lb (82.7kg) and so is well under weight. He balances his jiu-jitsu with being a full-time surgical sales rep.

Follow him on Facebook and Instagram