BJJ in Pride FC

Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships, active from 1997 to 2007, was one of the most influential MMA organizations of all time, and BJJ played a starring role. Fighters like Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, and Murilo Bustamante showcased high-level grappling against some of the toughest strikers and wrestlers in the world.

Pride’s unique rules, such as the allowance of soccer kicks and knees on the ground, pushed BJJ athletes to adapt their strategies. Submissions like Nogueira’s iconic triangle choke victories became highlights of the promotion. Pride’s popularity in Japan and internationally further elevated BJJ’s reputation, demonstrating its effectiveness at the highest levels of combat sports.