Two powerhouses in combat sports have teamed up: The UFC (world leader in MMA) amd the IBJJF (World leading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu federation and tournament circuit).
Up to recently the UFC had collaborated with Grapplers Quest which had always hosted grappling tournaments within the popular UFC fan expo in Las Vegas. Some of these tournaments had featured active UFC fighters. That partnership ended last year and the UFC went looking for a larger, more established partner. That’s where they found the IBJJF.
Their first collaboration with the IBJJF will be 2015 UFC International Fight Week /Fan Expo, which is planned from July 7-12th in Las Vegas. The event will host the 2015 IBJJF American National, American National No Gi and the American National Kids.
The UFC has a well defined BJJ program. There are close to 120 franchise UFC Gyms teaching BJJ. UFC Gym are in the process of broadening that program and its systems across all their franchised locations. UFC Gym’s plan is to build an in house competition network (within their 120 and groing Gyms) with regular championships and the upcoming UFC expo is planned to be a showcase event for this. The IBJJF’s vast network and worldwide circuit should help facilitate that transition.
UFC Gym. photo: BJJ Legends Magazine
What’s in it for the IBJJF?
Exposure. The UFC is a huge machine and MMA is the fastest growing sport worldwide. IBJJF can ride on that success and become mainstream.
One of the main attraction of the upcoming UFC fan expo will be 10 x world champion, ADCC champion and professional Mixed Martial Artist Roger Gracie’s return to BJJ competition in a superfight. Roger last week announced that he plans to compete in a BJJ superfight in July.
He made the announcement on his Facebook page:
Ok guys it’s almost confirmed my return to the JJ mats. It should happen in July in a super fight. I’ll keep you posted on the date and opponent.
BJJEE’s sources which are close to the champion’s entourage, have leaked out the information. Roger is set to make his return to Jiu-Jitsu during the 2015 UFC International Fight Week /Fan Expo.
Roger Gracie is rumored to be facing another legend of the sport and old nemesis: Rodrigo ‘Comprido’ Medeiros. This two time world champion in the open weight division recently drew with Saulo Ribeiro at Metamoris. The two have faced each other numerous times in the past with Gracie winning every encounter. Gracie’s last BJJ competition was in 2010 when he won his double gold world title. He has been focusing on his MMA career since then, with mixed results. He also had submission only match at Metamoris 1 vs Marcus Buchecha which ended in a draw.
At least another major BJJ legend is set to also be featured in another superfight.
Here is the official statement from Dana White announcing the start of the collaboration:
