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The BJJ Story
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Jakov Matišić

Matišić won the 2026 JJIF senior under-85kg no-gi world title in Zadar.

Biography

Jakov Matišić won the senior under-85kg title at the 2026 JJIF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi World Championships in Zadar. Competing for 3B, he had placed first in the professional under-87.9kg division at the 2025 ADCC Croatia Open. That November, Fight Site listed him among the senior world silver medallists in Bangkok. In June 2026, the Croatian federation reported his adult under-85kg European No-Gi gold in Pitești. Before Zadar, he told Fight Site that the silver gave him pride and motivation to win gold. He had changed both his guard play from underneath and his passing around an opponent’s legs, and come to appreciate wrestling’s importance. He wanted spectators to find his grappling engaging. Rather than burden himself with expectations, he hoped to finish every opponent by submission and show his new work. Luka Vuksan’s victories encouraged him to improve, although the two did not train together. BJJ Vinkovci’s August 2026 account of its five-day Orahovica camp named him among the trainers and lecturers. Its programme included ten gi and no-gi training sessions alongside workshops and shared activities, with several instructors contributing. After beating Saar Shemesh in the Zadar final, he recalled feeling close to victory once he controlled his opponent’s back. He had demonstrated better passing, but not his planned wrestling. He credited club coach Luka Škorić and national coaches for guidance, 3B and national teammates for training and sparring, and federation logistics. Winning before longtime supporters mattered to him. Gold had not changed his self-image or his sense of how much remained to achieve.

Sources for this profile

  • Fight Site, 20 August 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Before Zadar, world silver fuelled his wish for gold. He avoided burdening himself with expectations and hoped to finish every opponent while showing new work.

      Where in the source: Opening Q&A.

      Accessed:

    • He had changed his guard play and passing and recognized wrestling’s importance. He wanted an engaging style; Luka Vuksan’s wins encouraged him although they did not train together.

      Where in the source: Technical development; Vuksan.

      Accessed:

  • Fight Site, 25 August 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • After defeating Saar Shemesh in the Zadar final, he recalled feeling close to victory on securing back control. He displayed passing improvements but not his planned wrestling.

      Where in the source: Final; technical assessment.

      Accessed:

    • He credited Luka Škorić and national coaches for guidance, 3B and national teammates for training and sparring, and federation logistics. Familiar supporters made home victory meaningful; gold had not changed his self-image or ended his ambitions.

      Where in the source: Support; final answers.

      Accessed:

  • HJJS, 18 June 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • The federation’s June 2026 European No-Gi report lists Matišić of JJK 3B Ju-Jitsu as adult under-85kg gold medallist in Pitești.

      Where in the source: Roster; results.

      Accessed:

  • HJJS, 24 August 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • The federation reported his senior under-85kg gold at the 2026 JJIF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi World Championships in Zadar.

      Where in the source: Senior results.

      Accessed:

  • Fight Site, 18 November 2025.(opens in a new tab)

    • Fight Site’s Bangkok 2025 report lists Matišić of 3B Zagreb among the senior world silver medallists.

      Where in the source: Senior medal list.

      Accessed:

  • Vinkulja.hr, 3 August 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Vinkulja’s August 2026 BJJ Vinkovci report names Matišić among the trainers and lecturers at its five-day Orahovica camp, whose programme included ten gi/no-gi sessions, workshops and shared activities.

      Where in the source: Camp main text.

      Accessed:

  • ADCC, Croatia Open 2025.(opens in a new tab)

    • ADCC’s 2025 Croatia Open results place Matišić of 3B first in professional men under-87.9kg.

      Where in the source: Pro men under-87.9kg.

      Accessed:

Lineage

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Open lineage