Article and photos by Michael Sears | The semi-finals are set for three of the most stacked divisions at No-Gi Worlds are set!  Check out who's made it through to the second day of competition below.  

Lightweight semifinals

AJ Agazarm (Gracie Barra) vs Lachlan Giles (Absolute MMA)

Agazarm and Giles are set for their first ever meeting in the semifinals on Sunday. Both men won two fights to advance to day two. Agazarm won a tough fight in the quarterfinals 2-0 against John Combs (Easton), and Giles defeated Fredrico Alves (Alliance) in his quarter.

Rodrigo Freitas vs Renato Canuto (Zenith)

Multiple-time Nogi World medalist Freitas and 2016 brown belt Nogi World champ Canuto will meet in the second semifinal on Sunday. Canuto won two matches on Saturday, including a stunning armlock against Tommi Pulkannen (Hilti BJJ). Freitas advanced to the semis after defeating Gilson Nunes 4-2. Nunes had earlier eliminated Vagner Rocha (Fight Sports) from the bracket. Freitas and Canuto have only fought once, in a gi match, with Canuto winning on points at American Nationals.

Renato Canuto. Photo by Michael Sears

Middleweight semifinals

Josh Hinger (Atos) vs Dante Leon (GFT)

Hinger advanced to the semifinals after winning his first match 8-0 and then finishing Victor Silverio (Gracie Barra) in the quarterfinals with a rear naked choke. Leon came out on top by points in both of his matches. Hinger and Leon fought once already at American Nationals Nogi, with Hinger winning by choke.

Josh Hinger. Photo: Michael Sears

Michael Liera (Atos) vs Felipe Silva (Barbosa)  

Liera had an exceptionally tough road to the semifinals, having to go through Manuel RIbamar (NS Brotherhood) and Jon Satava (Alliance). Liera came out on top of a close ref decision against RIbamar, then took the back of returning Nogi Worlds silver medalist Satava to win 4-0. Silva won two matches on his side, including against Francisco “Sinistro” Iturralde (Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Club).

Michael Liera Jr. Photo by Michael Sears

Medium-Heavyweight semifinals

Keenan Cornelius (Atos) vs Diego Ramalho (ZR Team)

Cornelius had one match on Saturday, winning by rear-naked choke. Ramalho walked into the semis without a fight after Isaque Bahiense (Alliance) had to withdraw because of an injury.

Murilo Santana (Barbosa) vs Charles Negromonte (ZR Team)

Both Santana and Negromonte defeated Australian fan favorites in the quarterfinals. Santana submitted Kit Dale (Maromba) with a triangle, and Negromonte passed to mount to defeat Craig Jones (Absolute MMA) by a score of 7-0.

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