Best BJJ Tournaments That Offer Cash Prizes

BJJ is one of the growing martial arts around the globe both in Gi and No-Gi competitions. Since BJJ originated in Brazil and then spread its roots in America, BJJ athletes were not given any significant amount of cash prizes in any BJJ tournaments.

But after international recognition and mainstream adoption, BJJ tournaments are now offering cash prizes. IBJJF announced cash prizes in 2019. UAE is also famous for organizing various BJJ fights and giving the highest cash prizes.

Various other tournaments are also offering cash prizes now. These cash prizes provide financial attractions, motivation, and an opportunity to join and make a career in BJJ. Continue reading for more details.

IBJJF is the most famous and well-known Jiu-Jitsu governing body that organizes BJJ tournaments in every belt and weight division.

IBJJF was founded by Carlos Gracie Junior in 2002. Every year since then, IBJJF organizes BJJ fights in various parts of the world. On 16, March 2019, IBJJF announced cash prizes for their Black Belt champions.

IBJJF has announced cash prizes for Black Belt champions starting from $4,000 to $7,000 (USD). This amount for the cash price remains the same for men and women. But the amount depends upon the number of competitors signed up for the fight in any division.

If 2-8 competitors are participating in some division of the IBJJF tournament, the champion will get only $4,000 (USD). But if the number of competitors increases from 9-16, the cash prize will be $5,000 (USD).

Champions in the absolute weight division will get  $10,000 (USD), regardless of the number of competitors. Let's have a detailed view of the cash prizes.

Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) is one of the most reputable organizations around the world which conducts BJJ tournaments. ADCC was initiated by Sheikh Tahnoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 1998. He wanted to organize the greatest grappling championships in the world.

ADCC is famous not only for its high-rated matches but also for cash prizes. ADCC is giving cash prizes to the first four athletes in every weight division. Furthermore, they also give some additional rewards like best submissions, fastest submission, best take down, and best match rewards.

Let's have a look at the cash prizes of the World’s highest-paying BJJ organization.

The UAEJJF was founded by Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2009. No doubt, UAEJJF is not as big a name as IBJJF but UAEJJF is also considered one of the favorite tournaments for BJJ athletes around the world.

The UAEJJF tournaments are very valuable in terms of their cash prizes which are much higher than the IBJJF cash prizes. Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced cash prizes for all belt divisions (from Blue to Black).

He announced cash prizes not only for champions but also for runner-ups and Bronze winners. Furthermore, UAEJJF is also giving cash prizes to female athletes similar to men in all weight divisions. (an exception with Black Belt)

Let's have a look at the cash prize details.

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour also named Abu Dhabi Grand Slam is a round of tournaments that are held in a number of cities of the world under UAEJJF and Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro. (AJP)

These tournaments include Gi and No-Gi tournaments. Cash prizes in these tournaments are offered according to the number of participating competitors. They give prizes to the first three position holders at every belt level and every weight category. They also offer cash prizes to the best BJJ academy.

Let's have a detailed look at the cash prizes of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

Eddie Bravo is the owner of the best BJJ academy, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. He earned a name in the No-Gi BJJ world after his great submission victory as a Brown Belt against Royler Gracie. (Black Belt)

In 2015, he launched his own organization named Eddie Bravo invitational. His EBI gave a big opportunity to No-Gi BJJ athletes to compete and earn a name in the BJJ world.

Furthermore, influenced by various other prize-giving organizations, Eddie Bravo also announced a cash prize for the winner. Along with the champion, the submission also gives an opportunity for the athlete to earn money and bonuses.  

Eddie Bravo also founded another EBI-like organization named Combat Jiu-Jitsu. In these competitions, fighters are allowed to strike with their hands against their opponents.

Combat Jiu-Jitsu is also offering cash prizes similar to Eddie Bravo Invitational. Garry Tonon is famous for earning $50,000 from Eddie Bravo Championship. He won 5 matches by submission and earned more than 12,000 for every fight.

Seth Daniel, a well-known martial artist, has launched a fighting organization named Fight 2 Win. F2W was launched in November 2015 in Colorado and is working to promote BJJ fights.

F2W is one of the biggest names in the list of organizations that are famous for organizing big tournaments in the U.S.

Daniel’s organization has given opportunities to top local competitors who wanted to make a career in BJJ. Seth Daniel also invited various best grapplers like Rafel Lavato Jr. to join and promote F2W.

Cash prizes and submission bonuses are awarded to players but are undisclosed in F2W. The submission bonus is converted to 50% for the decision win.

The World Series of Jiu-Jitsu was founded by Professor Jason Bukich in 2017. The WSOJJ is using the rules of EDI and offering cash prizes to their fighters.

The WSOJJ is offering cash prizes to champions at every belt level and weight category depending upon the number of competitors enrolled in the tournaments.

This tournament promotes BJJ fights, gives the opportunity to top local players, and also pays them for their skills. Their cash prizes started from $200 to $1200.

Let’s have a detailed view of cash prices WSOJJ.

In Brazil, various BJJ tournaments are held every year. One of these tournaments is Copa Alfa Barra which takes place in Rio de Janeiro. Copa Alfa Barra gives cash prizes to champions of every division in multiple events each year.

Let’s have a detailed view of cash prizes given by Copa Alfa Barra to BJJ champions.

Polaris Pro Grappling was founded by Ben Tong, Lee Jones, Matthew Benyon, and Gareth Dummer in 2015. These four people are crowned to start a big BJJ tournament in Europe. This is the longest-running BJJ championship in Europe nowadays.

Polaris Pro Grappling had organized 18 Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments, and crowned 9 champions in this short era. Polaris does not disclose information about cash prizes that are paid individually. But champions in every belt division earn $10,000.

Third Coast Grappling was founded by a few students of Draculino Magalhaes who wanted to promote BJJ and showcase new talent. Both the best and top-ranked grapplers and new talented competitors are welcomed in this tournament.

3CG is offering their champions a cash prize of $10,000 to $15,000. Their cash prizes also vary according to the number of ticket sales.

In 3CG Grand Prix 2021, their cash prizes are as follows.

Cash prizes are the best way to appreciate fighters for their best fighting skills. This is the way BJJ athletes can have the opportunity to earn money. Furthermore, new talented grapplers will also motivate to start a career in BJJ.

IBJJF has announced cash prizes in 2019 for their champions from $4,000 to $7,000 depending upon the competitors enrolled in the relevant category. Abu Dhabi Combat Club is the most reputable championship which gives a higher value of cash prizes to the competitors.

Photo Credit: @bjjtribes