Ffion Davies recently took part in some light rolling during a Jiu-Jitsu training session with Anthony Mullally, a former professional Rugby player who is 6’5” and weighs 250lbs. Davies is obviously one of the best female grapplers on the planet but she normally competes at around 135lbs herself and is at a significant weight disadvantage against Mullally. Being almost twice the weight of someone else is going to be a big factor in training anyway, but Mullally is a fellow elite athlete who is in incredible shape at that size. Mullally played Rugby League at the highest level from 2009 to 2022 in a career that included several appearances representing Ireland.
Rugby is one of the few unrelated sports that actually has a lot of crossover with Jiu-Jitsu too, and it’s not uncommon to see former players transition to grappling with success. Obviously the immense size and physicality comes in handy, but even against opponents their own size they tend to have an edge as well. Rugby legend Tana Umaga even reached the rank of black belt and is a great example of just how impressive former players can become on the mats. Mullally has been spending some time honing his skills already too, and he is actually a blue belt in BJJ after being promoted back in 2023.
The footage was filmed at the new Arma BJJ academy, where Ffion Davies is going to be teaching as a Jiu-Jitsu coach and Anthony Mullally is the Head of Wellness. Not only is it entertaining to watch two elite competitors in their respective fields meeting on the mats, but Mullally actually moves very well too. Davies gets the upper hand in their friendly rolling session and she ends up submitting him with an armbar, but that’s no surprise seeing as she’s won both the ADCC and IBJJF World Championship. Davies is genuinely one of the best grapplers in the world right now, so even a huge physical advantage isn’t going to overcome that easily.
Arma BJJ uploaded the footage of Ffion Davies training Jiu-Jitsu with former professional Rugby player Anthony Mullally in a recent post to their official Instagram account:
