5 UFC fighters with the best Jiu-Jitsu, and 1 with the worst
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an important part of mixed martial arts and the UFC. These five individuals stand out compared to their peers as the best grapplers on the roster, plus one individual whose skill set has fallen behind others.
The relationship between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and North American mixed martial arts continues today through the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The allure of BJJ helped set the tone for the early days of the promotion and the growth of the UFC directly led to the expansion of BJJ in the United States.
Knowing components of martial arts is a key skill for success in MMA, even as competitors build their talents in wider aspects of fighting. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may not always make for the most exciting stylistic battles in the cage, but it is a skill set that can not be ignored for those looking to find success, both in and outside of the Octagon.
But who has the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the UFC?
This is a great question that can be tackled in several different ways. Do in-fight submissions matter the most? Or what about pedigree and lineage? How about those men and women that became championship grapplers long before they put on the gloves? Those are all interesting points within the debate of who are the five fighters with the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the UFC.
There are many members of the UFC roster that came into the Octagon with several wins across big grappling tournaments. Then there are others that did not take that route, but still have exceptionally dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when the bell rings. This list looks at individuals who fit into both of those buckets and highlights what makes them among the most dangerous and competent grapplers on the UFC roster. There are some names that many would expect, and a few that should surprise those that follow the sport.