Nicholas Meregali recently announced that he’s withdrawing from competing in the IBJJF events.
But why did he decide to do that?

He revealed more about his decision in a recent MMA Hoje podcast episode:

My decision is permanent. The only way I would come back to fight for IBJJF is that I could see a commitment, a movement to professionalize the sport.

I’m talking about the rules, the pay, streaming, media exposure, being professional in all aspects that I believe that is their job to handle.

Meregali was willing to find a solution, but he says that the IBJJF was not:

They’re a giant company. I was talking to them when I was trying to come back, and fought the Pan American, and wanted to fight at the “Brasileiro”, but I couldn’t do it…

This is not a corner store, it’s not a local championship, it’s a solid business.
But for me to be a part of this – and I understand that I’m just an athlete and you’re the place where everyone wants to compete… But I need some structure.

“I want this and that to be a part of this… Can we make it happen?” They said: “No.”

He isn’t too worried about it, though:

It’s all good. I’ll make my own path outside then.

I have some fights with the gi that I’m trying to finalize, and now it’s just a matter of time for these to be set in any professional grappling organization.
I have open doors to choose where I want to fight next.

So, it’s a good position to be in, to be able to choose where I’m doing this next.

 

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