Tom DeBlass was one of the top competitors in the world at one point and he’s since moved on to becoming one of the most important matchmakers, so he has some great insight into the use of exclusive contracts by promotions like UFC BJJ. Many major grappling promotions have made the decision to sign contracts for multiple matches with athletes but historically, these have only been used to secure their services long-term. In recent years this approach had changed somewhat, and now many promotions are using exclusivity go tie athletes down for a period of time and ensure that they cannot compete in rival shows.
This is an approach that holds back the growth of the sport to a certain degree, as the best competitors may be signed to different promotions and cannot face each other regularly as a result. At the very least, any exclusive contracts have had exceptions built in for the biggest events in the sport like ADCC. This has meant that although matches between the very best might be less frequent, fans have still been able to see them at least once every two years. That is all about to change though, as UFC BJJ will not allow their athletes to compete in ADCC after 2026.
DeBlass recently shared his thoughts on that news:
“I just heard today that UFC will no longer be allowing their athletes to compete in anything else that includes ADCC, which is our Olympics. A lot of people ask how I feel about that. What I feel about it is it’s terrible.”
The UFC BJJ approach is similar to what the parent promotion, the UFC, has done in MMA for decades. As DeBlass explains, the two sports aren’t the same:
“Grappling is not MMA. Grapplers have the ability to compete every week. Since I came on board [with ONE Championship], our grapplers compete everywhere – CJI, ADCC, WNO, Polaris… I have relationships with every organization.”
DeBlass is right too, he famously allowed any ONE Championship athlete to compete in CJI 2 just last year. Now any future editions of that event, and ADCC, will be missing some of the biggest names in the sport. This is obviously going to be good for UFC BJJ, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it, but it cannot be good for the sport. Some events hold a special place on an athlete’s career:
”ADCC is like our Olympics. There’s something deep and special about winning that. Now you’re not allowing athletes to do that. For what? For control. This isn’t for the athletes.”
Tom DeBlass finished his thoughts about UFC BJJ enforcing their exclusive contracts by sending a message to all athletes who might be weighing up their options:
“What you are getting from me is a promise that we will not lock you in where you can’t compete anywhere. You want to compete in IBJJF, ADCC, WNO, Polaris – talk to me. This is your life, and you only get one.”
Tom DeBlass shared his thoughts about UFC BJJ enforcing exclusive contracts in a recent post to his official Instagram account:
