Gordon Ryan has confirmed the UFC’s substantial investment in the sport, hinting at an exciting new reality show that could revolutionize how grappling talent is discovered and promoted.
During a recent podcast appearance on Joe Rogan Companion podcast for UFC London, Ryan revealed the UFC’s significant financial commitment to BJJ.
“They put how many millions of dollars in jiu-jitsu” and have “more of a budget for it,”
he explained. This aligns with UFC President Dana White‘s announcement of a 10-12 million dollar investment in the sport for the coming year.
Ryan provided tantalizing details about a potential new reality show, describing it as an
“Ultimate Fighter show for grappling.”
He believes this format could be a game-changer for the sport, stating,
“That would be cool because then you can like build a star from scratch and get to know the guys… you can get people emotionally involved.”
The UFC’s approach to signing BJJ athletes appears nuanced. Ryan explained their contract strategy, noting that exclusivity often comes with important exceptions:
“Usually when they do exclusive… it’s exclusive but they have cutouts for things like ADCC or like big world championships.”
This approach ensures athletes can continue to compete in major tournaments while maintaining their relationship with the UFC.
Adding intrigue to the announcement, recent leaks suggest the show might feature Gordon Ryan and Mikey Musumeci – two prominent figures with a notably contentious relationship. Kade Ruotolo hinted at their potential involvement, saying they might do
“some sort of like Ultimate Fighter type things for Jiu-Jitsu.”
The UFC’s investment represents more than just a financial commitment. It signals a potential transformation of BJJ from a niche martial art to a mainstream sporting spectacle. With plans to launch a reality show and subsequent BJJ events, the organization is positioning itself to dramatically reshape the landscape of competitive grappling.
Fans can look forward to an exciting new chapter in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s evolution.
