We're taking on a tough topic in today's episode and to be honest we need your opinions on this. Exclusivity is currently one of the dirtiest words in jiu-jitsu as fans are complaining that contracts are holding back the sport and preventing us from seeing the best possible matches.

Matt and Hywel discuss the UFC BJJ's recent signing spree and how the exclusive terms will even go so far as to prevent athletes from competing on ADCC, which has always been seen as one of the biggest and most important events in the sport.

Speaking of ADCC, they recently announced they would finally be changing their prize structure, doubling the cash prizes for champions and podium finishers. The women are still getting short changed though, and good old Craig Jones has stepped in and said he'll make up the difference to ensure they're equally paid. Common Craig win.

We also discuss the possibility of Grappling (capital G) ever making it into the Olympics. This follows the recent news that UWW, the global governing body for Olympic wrestling, has partnered with AIGA to develop their presence in the jiu-jitsu world, but with a clear eye on and path to Olympic inclusion. Matt's suspicious, Hywel's cautiously interested.

Matt opens up about his first Quintet experience in Tokyo, where he took a now-legendary team to compete in Sakuraba's first grappling event. He gives us an inside look at what it was like to be in Japan with Craig and co, it's fun stuff.

Episode 21 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else. Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

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Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:20 Exclusive contracts in jiu-jitsu

24:36 UFC BJJ vs ADCC

42:58 ADCC prize money