
Episode #83
From Prestige to Paychecks: How Pro Grappling Is Changing Fast (Episode 83)
In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we dig into the shifting landscape of no‑gi jiu‑jitsu events: from ADCC’s surprising lack of hype to the disruptive rise of UFC BJJ, PGF and CJI. Hosts discuss athlete invites, dropouts and exclusivity, streaming and paywalls, and how marketing choices (time zones, regional pushes, and platform partnerships) shape who actually watches. We examine the money side: purses versus long‑term monetization through seminars, academies and tutorials, plus what athletes must do to turn competition prestige into a sustainable career. Guests and examples discussed include Gordon, Vagner, Craig, Wojcik and other top competitors and teams, and we compare event formats (the pit/open scored rounds) and organizational strategies. Topics covered: event promotion failures, the influx of new pro leagues, athlete contracts and exclusivity, how competitions function as marketing for coaches and academies, and the practical business advice for grapplers who want to monetize their careers. Expect candid takes, real examples, and the hosts’ usual humor and combat confessions. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

