The competitive bjj scene has always been a mixed bag. If we look through the origins of promotions, now virtually dead Metamoris was among the first to try and centralize the scene attempting to sign Tonon exclusively and succeeding in signing Dillon Danis. But that was just a peak of a very tall iceberg – one where it was customary to schedule prestigious competitions on the same day in a passive aggressive way of confronting each other.
If we fast forward in time this is exactly what’s happened couple of weekends ago with Submission Underground and Eddie Bravo Invitational – with EBI grossly overshadowing the other.
But whereas attempts to centralize grappling come from many sides one person trying to instigate the growth in a way that’s mirroring the financial zeitgeist is Tristar head Firas Zahabi.
Ontario Will Be Criminalizing Amateur BJJ and Grappling Starting July 1st
From the Canada ban on competitive grappling came a very interesting product – Pure Victory grappling championship.
This is an online sub only league – since posting videos of grappling isn’t illegal currently. The ruleset is plain – sub only, taking place in a cage and no time limit.
Firas Zahabi is now opening up the Pure Victory League to virtually anyone. Here are the rules:
How you can have your own Pure BJJ match air on my channel!! Winners of videos that will be aired will earn 300$ of Crypto Currency!!
send your video to purevictorychampionship@gmail.com using a youtube link or dropbox.
Here are the rules
1.Safety first – Take all safety measure and precautions. No none must get hurt in anyway.
2. Grade A quality grappling
3.Match must end in Submission with no interference
4. Goodwill and Sportmanship
5. Must be well filmed / Lighting, Environment and HD footage
6. All Videos will be narrated by Me (Coach Zahabi)
7. Email a link of youtube video or dropbox your video to purevictorychampionship@gmail.com (agree to air video)
8. Face off Intro (staredown)
9. Names of competitors (Be sure to identify who is who in the video in your message)
10. Referee must be present. Referee must raise hand of the winner.
So while big names like Tanquinho are currently making more in bjj than in mma the vast majority of the scene is getting paid next to nothing and being lost on the under cards that nobody is really watching. This is what makes Pure Victory very exciting – not only is it completely free to watch but it also provides a huge promotional opportunity for both the up and coming competitors and the sport!
One interesting aspect of it is this – at the contemporary bjj scene the material that’s likely to go viral is mostly gruesome injuries and antics such as slapping and general unsportsmanlike behavior. So it will be truly interesting to see what kind of results this attempt to decentralize grappling yields.
As a reminder Tanquinho said:
“More than twice, to be honest,” Mendes said when asked how much money he’s made at ACB JJ 9 compared to his most recent UFC fight with Aljamain Sterling. “And I even won two bonuses, fastest submission and best fight (vs. Miyao). I made more than twice in jiu-jitsu.”
