Tom Aspinall Reveals His Pick for the Greatest BJJ Practitioner in UFC History

When the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion speaks about jiu-jitsu, fight fans should listen up. Tom Aspinall recently shared his thoughts on a question that sparks heated debates in MMA circles: Who is the greatest jiu-jitsu practitioner to ever compete in the UFC?

The BJJ GOAT According to Aspinall

As a submission specialist himself with 8 of his 14 professional wins coming by way of tap-out, Aspinall brings credibility to this conversation. The British heavyweight has been turning heads with his own grappling prowess, but he’s quick to acknowledge the legends who came before him.

“People always debate about the greatest jiu-jitsu guys in UFC history, but for me, it’s not even close,” Aspinall revealed in a recent interview. “When you look at what Demian Maia accomplished against world-class competition with such pure technique, nobody else compares.”

Why Maia Stands Above the Rest

For those newer to MMA, Demian Maia’s resume speaks volumes. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt competed at both welterweight and middleweight, challenging for titles in both divisions while collecting an impressive 22 wins in the UFC – many against fighters who knew exactly what he wanted to do but still couldn’t stop it.

What makes Maia’s accomplishments even more remarkable is how he dominated elite fighters with a style that was almost entirely grappling-based during an era when striking was becoming increasingly technical.

The Contenders for the BJJ Throne

While Aspinall gives the nod to Maia, there are other elite grapplers who’ve left their mark on the UFC. Charles Oliveira currently holds the record for most submission wins in UFC history. Fabricio Werdum submitted the previously “unsubmittable” Fedor Emelianenko. BJ Penn earned the nickname “The Prodigy” for becoming a black belt in just three years.

I’ve always believed that what separates the truly great BJJ practitioners in MMA isn’t just technique – it’s the ability to implement that technique against fighters who are actively trying to take your head off. That’s where Maia’s achievement of maintaining such a high submission rate against elite competition really stands out.

How This Influences Today’s Heavyweights

Aspinall himself represents a new breed of heavyweight – one that combines devastating striking with legitimate submission skills. When asked how studying legends like Maia has influenced his own game, Aspinall was thoughtful:

“You watch someone like Maia and realize it’s not about knowing a thousand techniques. It’s about mastering a few and creating setups that force opponents into your world. That’s something I’ve tried to incorporate – making my submissions an extension of my striking rather than separate skills.”

The Evolution of Grappling in the UFC

The conversation about BJJ greats highlights how far grappling has evolved in the UFC. From Royce Gracie introducing BJJ to American audiences to today’s multi-faceted submission artists, the art form has transformed while remaining essential to MMA success.

What’s your take? Does Aspinall have it right with Maia, or would you crown someone else as the UFC’s greatest jiu-jitsu practitioner? The debate continues, but getting insight from one of today’s most technical heavyweights certainly adds weight to Maia’s case.

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Source: Bloody Elbow