Nobody had ever become a two-time black belt absolute No-Gi World champion -- that was, until this weekend. 

Yuri Simoes ensured his place in the history books by beating Murilo Santana in the absolute final, also winning double gold (ultra heavyweight and openweight) in San Francisco. 

His 2016 absolute gold, coupled with his absolute gold medal back in 2014, made him the first person to ever win more than one absolute black belt world title. 

Absolute division matches
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Murilo Santana (final)
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Tanquinho (semi final)
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Thiago Sa (quarter final)
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Marcus Cole (opening round)

Ultra heavyweight division matches 
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Gustavo Elias (final)
Watch: Yuri Simoes vs Aaron Johnson 

Santana was in the mix for the accolade too (having won in 2013), but Simoes edged out his opponent in a tough and -- at times -- tenacious match, which was decided on a single penalty. The final score: 0-0, 0-0, 2-1 penalties. 

Simoes also won the ultra heavyweight division, beating Gustavo Elias of Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu via points.  

After winning the -88kg division at ADCC in 2015, Simoes took a break to allow some lingering injuries to heal. Since then, his mind has been on MMA. 

Speaking to Yuri after the win, he described to FloGrappling his plans to fight, something he said he has been preparing for all year (and the reason why, save for an appearance at Pans, we haven't seen him compete much in the gi). 

Training at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Simoes would like to make his MMA debut in the first half of 2017, but as yet no date has been announced. 

He also said he plans to return to compete at the ADCC World Championships in 2017. 

Watch our Yuri Simoes documentary