Here’s a fun fact about ADCC West Coast Trials winner Lyzz Mitrovic: at her very first tournament, a small local in-house, she was the only woman who signed up – so, she agreed to compete against men.
Granted, this was back in 2014, but it’s a noteworthy comparison point for the growth she’s seen in the women’s jiu-jitsu scene ever since. “Every year since, there are more and more women challenging themselves and showing there is a need for more age and weight class divisions,” Mitrovic tells me. She’s witnessed an undeniably increased hunger among female jiu-jitsu athletes to showcase their craft.
She’s also taken her place at the forefront of that movement – by choosing to make her ADCC Worlds debut in the promotion’s biggest year yet for its female athletes.
“This ADCC Worlds is so momentous for the female community,” says Mitrovic. “Not only will it be the first time each and every athlete will be compensated for being invited to the event, women will also have equal pay in ADCC.”
While Mitrovic recognizes that many steps still need to be taken for women to achieve real parity in the sport – she cites, for example, the fact that not all female Trials winners automatically qualify for Worlds – she’s thrilled to see progress.
“I hope with the introduction of big label sponsors joining ADCC, the doors will open up for more opportunity for higher pay and equal representation,” she adds.
Her own sponsor, Gaidama, is one of those forces currently at work on behalf of ADCC’s female athletes. The brand has made historic efforts toward building more opportunities for women in the promotion, including the creation of the first ever women’s absolute division.
“I feel very proud to represent Gaidama,” says Mitrovic. “The amount of progress they are making in the female [jiu-jitsu] community, and [jiu-jitsu] community as a whole, is amazing and exciting!”
Mitrovic’s own relationship with the brand dates back to 2021, when Gaidama sponsored the belt for Arte Suave Elites’ first 160-lb female champion. Armed with a Gaidama gift card, Mitrovic proceeded to buy what she describes as “one of the best pairs of spats I’ve ever had.” From that day on, Mitrovic would compete exclusively in Gaidama spats – and after a dominant no-gi competition season, she officially became an ambassador for the brand.
Mitrovic still proudly wears her first ever pair of Gaidama spats today – and according to her, their quality remains just as good as it was on the fateful day she bought them.
Heading into this year’s ADCC, Mitrovic looks forward to entering a stacked +65kg women’s division that includes the likes of multiple-time world champion Kendall Reusing, and returning ADCC queen Amy Campo, who famously dethroned the legendary Gabi Garcia in 2022.
“I am hungry for each and every one of them,” Mitrovic enthuses. “I have faced, at one point or another, almost half the division – and most of them were losses. Some matches were from awhile ago, when I was still developing finding my stride.” While she looks forward to facing new blood, Mitrovic is also excited by the prospect of avenging some of her old losses – especially with the growth she’s seen in her game in the past few years.
One thing is for certain, according to Mitrovic: “No matter who is placed in front of me, it will be a war,” she promises.
As a champion and medalist at multiple IBJJF majors in both the adult and masters’ divisions, Mitrovic has rightfully earned respect for her ability – as an athlete over thirty – to remain competitive with up-and-coming young guns in the sport.
“Age is a number, not a definition to our capabilities,” says Mitrovic – though she adds a cheeky addendum that after age thirty, top-notch recovery plans become more important than ever. What other wisdom does she have for masters-aged athletes hoping to remain elite in a crop of teen phenoms and spry, hungry twenty-somethings?
“Train smart with a heavy emphasis on quality over quantity,” she advises. “As we age, our bodies do not recover as fast, so listen to your body, and remember to treat it like the goddess it is! Roll, rest, recover, repeat!
“Additionally, if you compete at a lower age bracket, and find the young foxes are moving too fast, adapt your game to focus on controlling the positions. When you control the positions it's easier to control the pace.”
It’s a strategy that’s served Mitrovic well, as her career continues to flourish at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu competition – and one that we’ll be seeing on full display at ADCC 2024 in just a few days’ time.
What, if anything, does Mitrovic hope she’ll be recognized for, as her star continues to rise?
Mitrovic’s answer is equal parts cheeky and thoughtful: “I'd like ‘Lyzz Mitrovic’ to be synonymous with an impassable guard, a beacon of assurance through dedication, determination, and perseverance anything and everything is possible – and a pillar of strength and support in the women's jiu-jitsu community.”
She can’t help but add, of course, that it would also be pretty cool to one day have a jiu-jitsu move named after her. And who knows? On the ADCC stage, all things are possible. A Mitrovic special sweep or submission might just be on the horizon.
Want to channel your inner Lyzz Mitrovic? Shop Gaidama’s extensive Art Wear collection!
As a college student, Mitrovic studied entomology – AKA, insects! Her custom-designed Gaidama Art Wear butterfly set holds special meaning to her, both because of her chosen field of study, and because of her own journey as an athlete: “Jiu-jitsu has helped metamorph me into a strong, powerful, confident woman! When I see these sets, they remind me that beauty and strength is waiting to be let out, so let them fly.”
Need your own butterfly gear? Keep an eye on the Gaidama booth at ADCC 2024, where Mitrovic’s butterfly set will be dropping live at the event!
