Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is an exciting sport with a combination of different types of Martial Arts. Jiu-jitsu is a form of Martial Art that focuses on taking the fight to the ground and grappling. It consists of different techniques – positioning, submissions via joint manipulation, chokes, sweeps, and reversals. Most professional MMA fighters have different martial arts backgrounds, some started jiu jitsu training no gi style. Here are the top 5 UFC Superstars who are well known for their jiu jitsu even before they entered the cage:
Demian Maia
One of the most accomplished BJJ fighters is Demian Maia. A professional submission grappler and MMA fighter, Maia has competed in both Welterweight and Middleweight Divisions of the UFC. He has won several tournaments under different International Jiu-jitsu leagues and has won 14 fights via submission all throughout his MMA career.
Charles Oliveira
The current UFC Lightweight Champion, Charles Oliveira has the most submission wins and finishes out of all UFC fighters in his weight class. He started Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training, through the help of his neighbor, as a part of a social program. At the age of 12, he won his first major tournament as a white belt. He was awarded his blackbelt in 2010.
He is an American Brazilian Jiu jitsu blackbelt and is currently competing in the featherweight division of the UFC. He is known for his achievements in prestigious Jiu-jitsu competitions, as well as getting medals in the Mundials, ADCC, and Grappler’s Quest. He is the winner of the Ultimate fighter 22
Mackenzie Dern
One of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelts. Mackenzie Dern has won in practically all major Jiu-jitsu competitions. She has set out to earn her spot in the MMA scene and has secured 7 wins via submission under her belt. She has also been the recipient of several recognitions such as Performance of the Night (Three times), Fight of the night, Most submission wins in the UFC Strawweight division (Four), and Second-most submission wins in the UFC among women (Four)
Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns currently competes in the Welterweight Division in the UFC, as does most on this list. He started training Jiu-jitsu with his brothers in Academia Associação Oriente, an affiliate of Nova União led by Welton Ribeiro. He has won medals at the World Championships, European Open and World Brazilian Jiu-JItsu Championships. He made his professional debut in MMA in 2012 where he was chosen by UFC fighter Vitor Belfort to be the head grappling coach for Team Vitor on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.
There you have it, the list of incredible MMA Professional fighters who have a solid Brazilian Jiu jitsu background. If you are planning to train jiu jitsu but never really pushed through, then you should definitely have to ponder more on your decision! It’s a great sport for people of all ages and gender. If you are not sold yet, you can check out different videos about jiu-jitsu tips for beginners. I’m sure you will get hooked!