5 UFC fighters with the best Jiu-Jitsu, and 1 with the worst
WORST: Conor McGregor
Unfortunately, it’s time to point this discussion toward an individual on the roster that has the “worst” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That accolade will go to none other than the world-famous, Conor McGregor.
First, the obvious point to be made. Yes, McGregor is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt but does that mean McGregor’s skills are up to par with his peers in the UFC? There isn’t much data to help align that argument.
McGregor has one submission victory to his name. This came back in 2012 when he submitted Dave Hill back at Cage Warriors: 47. Since then, he’s emerged as one of the most important competitors in the UFC, but he’s never been able to get an opponent to submit to his grappling prowess. In fact, when he’s placed in dangerous positions during grappling exchanges, McGregor often looks unable to keep up with his opponents.
Look at his two submission defeats in the UFC. When Nate Diaz mounted McGregor at UFC 202, McGregor was unable to put up any type of defense, immediately turning his back to Diaz and failing the simple measure of fighting the hands before submitting. Khabib Nurmagomedov only needed to sniff McGregor’s back before locking in the neck crank, another position that McGregor was unable to even begin to work out from under. In the last two fights against Dustin Poirier, McGregor was unable to defend himself against wrestling and found himself on his back, under Poirier’s pressure. When he did attempt a submission, Poirier was easily able to defend.
McGregor is a great fighter and a sure bet to end up in all the fight community's Hall of Fames. But he’s far from the best grappler on the UFC roster, with his skills falling further and further behind the pack.
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