2025 BJJ Awards: Celebrating a Landmark Year in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

2025 has been a banner year for Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), showcasing the sport’s rapid growth and the increasing opportunities available for athletes in the professional grappling scene. As we unveil the winners of the 2025 BJJ Awards, we’ll highlight some of the best performances and significant milestones that have defined this remarkable year.

Following our Submission of the Year award, we turn our attention to the best grappling events of 2025. Major tournaments like the IBJJF Worlds (both gi and no-gi) certainly delivered iconic moments and showcased immense talent, but for this award, we’ll focus exclusively on professional events that made waves throughout the year.

Honorable Mention: Polaris 34 and Squads Finals

The Polaris Squads events consistently provided some of the most entertaining cards of 2025, culminating in a thrilling team tournament finale in November. The UK-based promotion saw Team Europe dominate the finals, with standout performances from Jozef Chen and Eoghan O’Flanagan, each securing three consecutive wins at Polaris 34.

However, the highlight of the event belonged to Mateusz Szczecinski, who achieved an astounding eight victories, including five straight wins that effectively wiped out the entire Team Asia & Oceania squad. The card also featured top pound-for-pound stars Helena Crevar and Ffion Davies, who both claimed victory in their respective title bouts, making Polaris 34 a must-watch for grappling enthusiasts.

3. WNO 27: Duarte vs. Rodriguez

Who’s Number One? (WNO) has a reputation for delivering high-quality shows, and WNO 27, held in April, was no exception. This event featured a stacked card filled with memorable submissions and thrilling matchups. Andrew Tackett made headlines by heel hooking Fabyury Khrysthyan in his final bout before transitioning to the UFC BJJ scene. Helena Crevar, who later won the Submission of the Year, choked out Elisabeth Clay, becoming the youngest WNO champion.

The headliner featured a highly anticipated matchup between CJI champion Nick Rodriguez and ADCC double champion Kaynan Duarte, with Rodriguez emerging victorious. The co-main event showcased Luke Griffith defeating Victor Hugo in a gripping back-and-forth battle. While WNO 27 could easily be considered the best card of the year in isolation, two other events had a more significant impact on the sport.

2. UFC BJJ 1

The UFC has been hosting grappling events through the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, but UFC BJJ 1 marked a more serious investment in the sport. This event, which took place in June, was a culmination of a TUF-style grappling reality show designed to crown three inaugural champions. The card was packed with excitement, featuring seven submissions in eight bouts, and thrusting Mikey Musumeci and Andrew Tackett into the spotlight as key figures for UFC BJJ.

UFC BJJ 1 set the stage for future events, showcasing the potential for growth and mainstream appeal in professional jiu-jitsu. The promotion went on to host four events in 2025, but this milestone card stands out as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the sport.

1. Event of the Year: CJI 2

While 2025 saw numerous exceptional cards, CJI 2 easily claims the title of BJJ Event of the Year. Despite not reaching the heights of its predecessor, CJI 1, this sophomore event still surpassed all others in several key aspects. The event featured a mix of elite-level grappling and dramatic storylines, including a hilarious match between Craig Jones and Chael Sonnen.

CJI 2 also introduced the "highest ever paying women’s bracket," where young talents like Helena Crevar and Sarah Galvao proved they were no longer just prospects by defeating reigning ADCC champions. Nick Rodriguez continued his impressive streak, leading the B-Team to a $1 million victory over their rivals, New Wave.

With the most top-level talent and a significant increase in viewership, CJI 2 not only entertained but also made a lasting impact on the sport, solidifying its place as the most significant event of the year.

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