Polaris Pro Grappling is Europe's longest running large-scale professional grappling event. They have organized dozens of events, primarily in the UK but also elsewhere in Europe. The promotion has produced events with a variety of different formats like regular fight-nights, grand prix tournaments, and team grappling matches.
Polaris has attracted some of the biggest names from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts including Keenan Cornelius, Michelle Nicolini, Brad Pickett, Rousimar Palhares, Dean Lister, Masakazu Imanari, Ikuhisa Minowa, Vítor Ribeiro, Fernando Terere, Caol Uno, and Craig Jones.
They have also featured several former MMA world champions, like Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, Bellator MMA welterweight world champion Rafael Lovato Jr., and UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson. Former UFC Welterweight competitor Dan Hardy and UFC referee Marc Goddard have served as event judges, while Hardy and regular Polaris competitor Dan Strauss have often served as commentators. The promotion streams all of their events live on UFC Fight Pass, other than smaller 'Contenders' tournaments where athletes compete for a place on their numbered events.
Current Polaris Title Holders Division ChampionWomen Under 55 KG (121) Ffion DaviesWomen Under 60 KG (132) Michelle NicoliniWomen Under 66KG (145) Elisabeth ClayWomen Openweight Kendall ReusingBantamweight (135) Ashley WilliamsFeatherweight (145) Keith KrikorianLightweight (155) Ethan CrelinstenWelterweight (170) Mateusz SzczecinskiMiddleweight (185) Roberto JimenezLight Heavyweight (205) Craig JonesHeavyweight (265) Vacant
Events
2015 in Polaris
Polaris 1
Polaris 1 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on January 10, 2015, at St David's Hall in Cardiff, Wales.
Results
Polaris 2
Polaris 2 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on September 12, 2015, at St David's Hall in Cardiff, Wales.
Background
Results
2016 in Polaris
Polaris 3
Polaris 3 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on April 2, 2016, at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.
Background
Results
Polaris 4
Polaris 4 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on October 29, 2016, at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.
Background
Results Polaris 4 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCatchweight 82 kg Fernando Tereredef. Vítor RibeiroDecision (Unanimous)115:00GICatchweight 77 kg Garry Tonondef. Gilbert BurnsSubmission (Heel Hook)19:26NO-GICatchweight 80 kg AJ Agazarmdef. Ikuhisa MinowaSubmission (Triangle Choke)15:11NO-GICatchweight 90 kg Dillon Danisdef. Jackson SousaSubmission (Heel Hook)18:32NO-GICatchweight 68 kg Nathan Orcharddef. Masakazu ImanariSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)15:51NO-GICatchweight 84 kg Charles Negromontedef. Eduardo RiosDecision (Unanimous)115:00NO-GIWomen Absolute Dominyka Obelenytedef. Yasmine WilsonDecision (Unanimous)115:00GIAbsolute Tom Breesedef. Ben DysonDecision (Unanimous)115:00NO-GI
2017 in Polaris
Polaris 5
Polaris 5 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on August 19, 2017, at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.
Background
Results Polaris 5 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCatchweight 78 kg Garry Tonondef. Dillon DanisDecision (Unanimous)115:00NO-GICatchweight 90 kg Jake Shieldsdef. Daniel StraussDecision (Majority)115:00NO-GICatchweight 66 kg Phil Harrisdef. Brad PickettDecision (Split)115:00NO-GICatchweight 72.7 kg Vítor Ribeirodef. Caol UnoSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)17:26NO-GICatchweight 78 kg AJ Agazarmdef. Lloyd CooperSubmission (Bow & Arrow Choke)16:00GICatchweight 76 kg Oliver Tazadef. Ross NichollsDecision (Unanimous)115:00NO-GICatchweight 64 kg Samantha Cookdef. Vanessa EnglishDecision (Unanimous)115:00GICatchweight 83 kg Bradley Hilldef. Tommi PulkkanenDecision (Split)115:00NO-GI
2018 in Polaris
Polaris 6
Polaris 6 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on February 17, 2018, at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.
Background
Results Polaris 6 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesMiddleweight 83.9 kgNO-GI Craig Jonesdef. Jake ShieldsSubmission (Heel Hook)11:04For inaugural the Polaris Middleweight ChampionshipCatchweight 80 kgNO-GI Benson Hendersondef. AJ AgazarmDecision (Unanimous)115:00Women Under 55 kgNO-GI Gezary Matudadef. Serena GabrielliSubmission (Ankle Lock)12:43Welterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Marcin Helddef. Chris FishgoldSubmission (Armbar)11:38Catchweight 72 kgNO-GI Marco Cahnadef. Ash GrimshawDecision (Unanimous)115:00Women Under 55 kgNO-GI Ffion Daviesdef. Chelsea LeahSubmission (Armbar)15:45
Polaris 7
Polaris 7 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on July 14, 2018, at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.
Background
Results Polaris 7 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCatchweight 85 kgNO-GI Gilbert Burnsdef. Gregor GracieInjury (Shoulder)113:12Welterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Oliver Tazadef. Lachlan GilesDecision (Unanimous)115:00Featherweight 65.8 kgNO-GI Nicky Ryandef. Phil HarrisSubmission (Armbar) 16:48Featherweight 65.8 kgNO-GI Ashley Williamsdef. Masakazu ImanariDecision (Split)115:00Welterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Ross Nichollsdef. Nathan OrchardDecision (Unanimous)115:00Women Over 55 kgNO-GI Venla Luukkonendef. Samantha CookDecision (Split)115:00
Polaris 8
Polaris 8 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on December 9, 2018, at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales.
Background The event was the third the Polaris has hosted at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales and the first since Polaris 2.
This event featured three world title fights. The card was headlined by the current Polaris middleweight Champion Craig Jones and the former IBJJF champion Keenan Cornelius in a match to crown the inaugural Polaris Light Heavyweight Champion. It was a rematch from their fight at ADCC 2017, which Cornelius had won.
Results Polaris 8 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesLight Heavyweight 93 kgNO-GI Craig Jonesdef. Keenan CorneliusDecision (Split)115:00For the inaugural Polaris Light Heavyweight ChampionshipWelterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Vagner Rochadef. Benson HendersonSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke) 114:30Welterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Mansher Kheradef. Lachlan GilesDecision (Unanimous)115:00For the inaugural Polaris Welterweight ChampionshipAbsoluteNO-GI Dan Straussdef. Satoshi IshiiDecision (Split)115:00Featherweight 65.8 kgNO-GI Nicky Ryandef. Masakazu ImanariSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)113:11For the inaugural Polaris Featherweight ChampionshipCatchweight 80 kgGI Santeri Liliusdef. Pedro BessaDecision (Unanimous)115:00
2019 in Polaris
Polaris 9
Polaris 9 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on March 15, 2019, at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.
Background The event was the fourth the Polaris has hosted at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England. The card was headlined by a catchweight superfight between the multiple-time MMA champion Jake Shields and future Bellator MMA Middleweight Champion and grappling champion Rafael Lovato Jr.
In the co-featured slot, for inaugural the Polaris Women Under 55KG Championship a bout between IBJJF(2018) champion Ffion Davies and IBJJF(2013/2014/2016) champion Gezary Matuda took place.
Bonus awards The following fighters were awarded bonuses: Performance of the Night: Ffion Davies Submission of the Night: Ethan Crelinsten
Results Polaris 9 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCatchweight 90.7 kgNO-GI Rafael Lovato Jr.def. Jake Shields Decision (Unanimous)115:00Women Under 55 kgNO-GI Ffion Daviesdef. Gezary MatudaSubmission (Arm-Triangle Choke)12:26For the inaugural Polaris Women Under 55 KG ChampionshipWelterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Vagner Rochadef. Ross NichollsDecision (Split)115:00Lightweight 70.3 kgNO-GI Ethan Crelinstendef. Tom HalpinSubmission (Armbar) 18:48Middleweight 83.9 kgNO-GI Mike Perezdef. Darragh O'ConaillDecision (Unanimous)115:00Middleweight 83.9 kgGI Eduardo Riosdef. Santeri LiliusDecision (Split)115:00
Polaris 10
Polaris 10 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on May 25, 2019, at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.
Background Brad Pickett was scheduled to face Caol Uno at Polaris 10, but Pickett was forced off the card on March 12 with an injury. Leigh Remedios has stepped in on short notice to face Uno.
Results Polaris 10 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesFeatherweight 65.8 kgNO-GI Nicky Ryan (c)def. Urijah FaberDecision (Unanimous)115:00For the Polaris Featherweight ChampionshipMiddleweight 83.9 kgNO-GI Craig Jones (c)def. Matheus LutesDecision (Unanimous)115:00For the Polaris Middleweight ChampionshipLightweight 70.3 kgNO-GI Ashley Williamsdef. Ethan CrelinstenDecision (Unanimous)115:00For the inaugural Polaris Lightweight ChampionshipLightweight 70.3 kgNO-GI Caol Unodef. Leigh RemediosSubmission (Keylock)15:10Middleweight 83.9 kgNO-GI Richie Martinezdef. Miha PerhavecSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)10:53Catchweight 105 kgNO-GI Nick Rodriguezdef. Ashley AmosSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)17:30
Polaris 11
Polaris 11 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on August 31, 2019, at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England.
Background Vagner Rocha has had to pull out of his title fight against Mansher Khera. However, Edwin Najmi stepping up on short notice to face Khera.
Marc Diakiese has had to pull out of his match with Chris Fishgold, however, Diakiese's training partner and grappling instructor, Liam Cann, will be stepping in on short notice to test himself against the powerful UFC grappler.
Unfortunately due to a last minute training injury, Satoshi Ishii is unable to compete and so the match with Arya Esfandmaz will have to be postponed.
Results Polaris 11 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesWomen Under 55 kgNO-GI Ffion Davies (c)def. Talita AlencarDecision (Unanimous)115:00For the Polaris Women Under 55 KG ChampionshipWelterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Edwin Najmidef. Mansher Khera (c)Decision (Unanimous)115:00For the Polaris Welterweight ChampionshipWelterweight 77.1 kgNO-GI Stevie Raydef. Paddy PimblettSubmission (Heelhook)17:42Middleweight 83.9 kgGI Tommy Langakerdef. Marcos TinocoDecision (Split)115:00Catchweight 103 kgNO-GI Nick Rodriguezdef. Ben DysonDecision (Unanimous)115:00Catchweight 74 kgNO-GI Liam Canndef. Chris FishgoldDecision (Unanimous)115:00
Polaris 12
Polaris 12 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on November 30, 2019, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Wales.
Background João Miyao has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled Polaris Bantamweight Championship bout against Ashley Williams due to an injury, Azize Hlali has stepped in as a replacement. Unfortunately, Hlali has been unable to compete. Williams instead faced Richard Alarcon, who stepped in on a weeks notice for this encounter.
Fight Card Polaris 12 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCatchweight 104.3 kgNO-GI Nick Rodriguezdef. Luke RockholdDecision (Unanimous)115:00Bantamweight 61 kgNO-GI Ashley Williamsdef. Richard AlarconSubmission (Armbar)11:39For the inaugural Polaris Bantamweight ChampionshipCatchweight 80 kgGI Tommy Langakerdef. Gilbert BurnsDecision (Unanimous)115:00W.Catchweight 57 kgNO-GI Michelle Nicolinidef. Vanessa EnglishSubmission (Toe Hold)1Catchweight 104 kgNO-GI Devhonte Johnsondef. Arya EsfandmazDecision (Unanimous)115:00Welterweight 77 kgNO-GI PJ Barchdef. Marcin HeldDecision (Unanimous)115:00
2020 in Polaris
Polaris 13: UK Grand Prix
Polaris 13: UK Grand Prix was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on July 11, 2020, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Wales.
Background Differing from the previous Polaris events, the event was a one-night tournament with all eight competitors weighing in at under 90 kg.
Fight Card