When asked about the possibility of dream grappling matchups like Alexander Volkanovski versus Islam Makhachev, White acknowledged the potential but clarified the organization’s immediate priorities.
“The answer is yes. If those big fights are available that we could make, we would definitely do it,”
White stated.
“But 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 comes on the heels of White’s groundbreaking announcement of a substantial financial commitment to the sport.
“We’re going to invest like 10 to 12 million dollars into Jiu-Jitsu over the next year,”
White revealed during a recent media interaction, marking one of the largest organizational investments in BJJ’s history.
Musumeci reacted to White’s statement posting:
The massive investment aligns with UFC’s broader strategy to expand its footprint across various combat sports disciplines while maintaining focus on its core UFC operations and boxing ventures. This development is particularly significant as it forms part of TKO Group‘s larger objective to consolidate all combat sports under its umbrella by the end of 2025.
Perhaps most intriguing is the confirmation of a BJJ reality show in the works. Speaking at the 2024 SBJ Media Innovators conference, White confirmed they’re
“literally launching a reality show and then gonna start putting on shows”
in the BJJ space.
BJJ star Kade Ruotolo recently let slip that the project might involve renowned grapplers Gordon Ryan and Mikey Musumeci.
“I think he’s doing something with Mikey Musumeci and him are possibly going to do some sort of like Ultimate Fighter type things for Jiu-Jitsu,”
Ruotolo mentioned, providing the first concrete hint about potential participants.
The pairing is particularly compelling given the ongoing rivalry between Ryan and Musumeci, especially regarding their differing perspectives on PED use in the sport. Musumeci has consistently advocated for stricter testing protocols, while Ryan has taken a more permissive stance, stating that
“people want to see the enhanced athletes give their best.”
While White’s comments suggest that dream grappling matchups featuring UFC stars may not be imminent, the door remains open for such events in the future. For now, it appears the organization is focused on elevating existing BJJ stars through this new platform before exploring crossover competitions.
This strategic investment reflects the growing global interest in the discipline and acknowledges BJJ’s fundamental role in mixed martial arts. As the initiative unfolds, it could potentially revolutionize the sport’s landscape, creating unprecedented opportunities for athletes and practitioners worldwide while dramatically increasing BJJ’s mainstream visibility.
