UFC welterweight Phil Rowe didn’t hold back when discussing the UFC’s recent foray into pure Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition during his appearance on The Casuals MMA podcast. The outspoken MMA star delivered a scathing critique of the promotion’s BJJ showcase, questioning both the talent level and entertainment value of the grappling-only format.
“Look man, if I was a CEO of this I’d be putting people in position that make s**t shake. You guys just don’t know who runs s**t,”
Rowe said, taking aim at the UFC’s decision-making regarding their BJJ programming. His criticism centered on what he perceives as a disconnect between the promotion’s choice of competitors and what fans actually want to see.
Rowe was particularly harsh when discussing the skill disparity in the competition.
“There’s no high-level grapplers in there. There’s the guy that won. Andy’s a good grappler, too. But I love Andy, but Andrew T, bro. Like, he’s with Mica (Galvao) is with Flo. Ruotolos are with ONE. You need an elite guy to beat him. And there’s no one elite around. So, he’s going to be running through these guys easy.”
The welterweight contender expressed frustration with the UFC’s approach to promoting grappling as a standalone spectacle.
“It’s so hard to make jiu-jitsu mainstream cuz no matter what it’s boring as f**k,”
Rowe stated bluntly. He argued that the format simply doesn’t translate well to mainstream audiences, especially when positioned alongside traditional mixed martial arts.
Rowe’s most pointed criticism came when discussing the production and presentation of the BJJ events.
“When you put it on the UFC platform when it’s compared with fighting, it just doesn’t (work)- it looks even lamer,”
he explained. The MMA star suggested that the stark contrast between the violence and excitement of MMA and the slower pace of pure grappling creates an unfavorable comparison that hurts the BJJ product.
The criticism extended to specific competitors, with Rowe questioning the legitimacy of some participants. He particularly took issue with what he perceived as mismatched skill levels, arguing that the competition lacked the elite grapplers necessary to create compelling matchups.
Despite his harsh words, Rowe acknowledged the skill of certain competitors like Andrew Tackett, whom he praised as a legitimate threat. However, he maintained that the overall talent pool was insufficient to justify the platform and promotional push the UFC has given to pure grappling.
Rowe’s comments reflect a broader debate within the MMA community about whether pure grappling belongs on UFC programming. While some appreciate the technical aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as an art form, others, like Rowe, believe it fails to deliver the entertainment value that UFC audiences expect.
The MMA star’s criticism also touches on the promotional aspect, suggesting that the UFC’s resources might be better allocated elsewhere. His comments come at a time when the promotion is experimenting with various formats and trying to expand beyond traditional MMA programming.
Whether the UFC will adjust its approach to BJJ programming based on feedback from MMA stars like Rowe remains to be seen, but his comments certainly add fuel to the ongoing debate about the place of pure grappling in mixed martial arts promotion.
