“That’s another thing – Claudia Gadelha who runs it doesn’t like me very much,”
Danis revealed during the interview.
“They don’t want to do MMA fighters that are doing jiu-jitsu. They’re trying to be strict and make it like only jiu-jitsu guys, they don’t want to have crossovers.”
This alleged stance by the UFC’s grappling showcase aligns with observations that through its first ten events, Fight Pass Invitational has featured very few high-profile MMA crossovers. While competitors like Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili have appeared in other promotions such as Fury Grappling, and Mackenzie Dern competed on Craig Jones‘ invitational, the UFC’s in-house grappling series has maintained what appears to be a deliberate separation.
Danis Frustrated with Lack of Recognition
The revelation comes amid broader frustrations expressed by Danis about what he perceives as a lack of recognition from the UFC for his contributions to elevating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s profile in mixed martial arts.
“No one gives me the fcking due respect that I deserve,”
Danis stated.
“When I go to the UFC events they got these Jiu-Jitsu guys on the screen like and stuff like that and like they made me pay for tickets when I’m the one that brought jiu-jitsu up when no one was talking sht.”
Danis pointed to his high-profile feuds with Gordon Ryan and his association with Conor McGregor as catalysts that brought additional attention to the sport of jiu-jitsu. Despite this, he claims to be treated poorly at UFC events, saying,
“I go to a UFC event it’s like ‘oh put him in the corner make sure he doesn’t fcking come close to anybody’ just treat him like sht.”
UFC’s BJJ Strategy Taking Shape
The timing of Danis’ comments is particularly interesting given UFC President Dana White‘s recent announcements regarding the organization’s ambitious plans for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. White recently revealed a substantial $10-12 million investment into the sport over the next year, including plans for a BJJ reality show.
When asked specifically about organizing grappling matches between UFC stars like Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev, White clarified the organization’s current focus:
“I think you’re going to see more of the jiu-jitsu guys, the big stars in jiu-jitsu before you see UFC fighters.”
This statement appears to confirm Danis’ assertion that the UFC is deliberately keeping its MMA fighters separate from its pure jiu-jitsu initiatives for the time being, focusing instead on elevating established BJJ stars through its platform.
While Danis expressed openness to returning to competitive grappling, his focus appears to remain on his upcoming boxing and MMA commitments rather than pursuing opportunities in submission grappling competitions. Whether the UFC’s apparent policy of separation between its MMA fighters and pure jiu-jitsu competitors will continue as its BJJ initiatives expand remains to be seen.
