I am always interested in watching the latest matches of the big names/black belts. However, as a No-Gi practictioner, I am more interested in the No-Gi matches. Because of this, I am always looking for new material, as Gi is more popular in general, imo. Beyond the obvious, who are some grapplers to look at for? For example, suggesting Kron a year or so ago would have been a great one.
YouTube - Team Edson Carvalho-MARK RAMOS MARK RAMOS from Nj a purple belt that will be at the worlds this week
I enjoy watching Justin Rader, a Lovato brown belt. EDIT: I also forgot Rafael and Guillerme Mendes, two nasty Brasa purple belts (Last time I heard).
I remember losing to him in the finals as a white back in the day. We fought at 134lbs and he ended up winning the white belt absolute later that day.
Nic Nicolaisen from my club won the NOGI Worlds last year in the brown belt absolute. He's in Long Beach now getting ready for the Mundials. YouTube - GON 2008 - Nic Ruben vs Christopher, SW -77kg Joackim Hallum from my club won the blue belt super heavy NOGI Worlds and he's also going to fight at the Mundials. YouTube - GON 2008 - Joackim vs Thomas, SW +88kg
Drew Vogel from Team Balance in Philly. I'm not just saying that either, lol (he's my brother). He's been doing great at the tournaments lately and is competing for the first time as a purple at the Worlds this weekend. Here's a video of him: YouTube - Drew Vogel vs. Jay Hayes at Grapplers Quest
Joel Tudor - Brown with Rodrigo Medeiros, Pan Am champ & also multiple World Champion surfer... Good shot to win the Worlds this year in BJJ as well. Vid of him winning both the Gi & No-Gi the same day at the Gracie Nationals. YouTube - Joel V.S. Gracie Nationals 2008
Joel Tudor - Brown with Rodrigo Medeiros, Pan Am champ & also multiple World Champion surfer... Good shot to win the Worlds this year in BJJ as well. Vid of him winning both the Gi & No-Gi the same day at the Gracie Nationals. YouTube - Joel V.S. Gracie Nationals 2008