UFC President Dana White has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest heavily in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), marking a significant milestone in the sport’s evolution.
“We’re going to invest like 10 to 12 million dollars into Jiu-Jitsu over the next year,” White disclosed during a recent media interaction.
This substantial financial commitment represents one of the largest corporate investments in BJJ to date and underscores the UFC’s broader strategy to solidify its presence across various combat sports disciplines. White emphasized that, alongside the BJJ initiative, the organization remains steadfast in its efforts to expand its influence in boxing and maintain its core UFC operations.
UFC’s Expansion into BJJ
A key component of the UFC’s investment strategy is the launch of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu reality show. Speaking at the 2024 SBJ Media Innovators conference, White confirmed the project, stating that the UFC is
“literally launching a reality show and then gonna start putting on shows”
in the BJJ space. This initiative aligns with TKO Group’s broader objective of integrating various combat sports under its umbrella by the end of 2025.
Star-Studded Rumors: Gordon Ryan & Mikey Musumeci
Recent rumors about the UFC’s Jiu-Jitsu expansion gained traction when BJJ star Kade Ruotolo inadvertently revealed potential details about the project.
“I think he’s doing something with Mikey Musumeci and him are possibly going to do some sort of like Ultimate Fighter type things for Jiu-Jitsu possibly I think,” Ruotolo shared, hinting at an exciting development.
The potential involvement of Gordon Ryan and Mikey Musumeci adds a layer of intrigue, given their ongoing rivalry and contrasting views on performance-enhancing drug (PED) use in the sport. While Musumeci has been vocal about implementing stricter drug-testing measures, Ryan has taken a more lenient approach, asserting that
“people want to see the enhanced athletes give their best.”
Musumeci hopes the UFC’s involvement in grappling will help establish the drug-testing standards and professional framework he believes the sport desperately needs.
“UFC’s a professional company,” he said. “The way we’ve been in jiu-jitsu, we’ve been amateurs. We really are just in this barbaric amateur phase of jiu-jitsu. Now UFC is starting something professional. I’m so blessed for them for putting the effort into jiu-jitsu to change it. I’m so eager for them to do that.”
Musumeci envisions a future where grapplers are treated as true professional athletes, complete with belts, drug testing, and organizational stability.
“I need to first grow us and UFC to the point where we are professional athletes,” he explained. “What does that look like to me? That looks like we have belts, we have everything just like MMA fighters. Drug testing and belts and stability.
“We need drug testing. Completely make Darwinism with the people on steroids. They either have to just get off and they either die or they adapt. Then the next generation realizes they can’t just start steroids when they’re like 10 years old. I want to change that. That will give me the most fulfillment.”
While Musumeci has individual goals he hopes to achieve, including a potential future transition to MMA, his immediate focus is on setting a new standard for jiu-jitsu under the UFC banner. For him, signing with the UFC is just the beginning of a much larger mission to redefine the sport he loves.
The Future of BJJ Under UFC’s Investment
Although specific details on how the allocated funds will be distributed remain undisclosed, this initiative has the potential to revolutionize the sport. UFC’s backing could lead to the creation of new development programs, enhanced competitive platforms, and increased visibility for BJJ athletes worldwide.
This strategic move not only highlights the growing global interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but also reinforces its critical role within mixed martial arts. As UFC expands its reach, BJJ practitioners and fans alike can anticipate groundbreaking opportunities in the sport’s future.
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