Rise of Superfights

Traditional tournaments dominated BJJ competition for decades, but the 2010s saw the rise of superfights: one-off, high-profile matches between elite athletes. These events, often organized by professional leagues or streamed online, allowed fans to watch dream matchups without the structure of a tournament bracket.

Superfights showcased different rulesets, from submission-only to no-time-limit bouts, and gave athletes opportunities to earn significant prize money. The format also boosted BJJ’s entertainment value, creating rivalries and narratives that drew in wider audiences. Today, superfights exist alongside tournaments as a major part of the professional grappling landscape.