Jiu-jitsu has been represented on the highest stages of combat sports since in the inception of the UFC in 1993. But it is always bitter sweet when an elite jiu-jitsu athlete makes the transition from competing full time in jiu-jitsu, to competing primarily in MMA.

Even though we may lose an athlete in the jiu-jitsu world, we gain someone to represent jiu-jitsu on the biggest stages in combat sports. 

That is exactly what Kody Steele has been doing for the past few years since he made his MMA debut in 2021.

Coming from wrestling roots in his home state of Washington, Kody moved to Texas in 2013 where he found Coach Rodrigo Cabral and Brazilian Fight Factory and kickstarted his grappling career. Kody went from white to black belt under Rodrigo Cabral in Austin, Texas. 

Steele has been active on the competitive jiu-jitsu circuit since he was a colored belt. Steele found success primarily in no-gi competition, including winning the 2019 EBI Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, 3rd place in the 2021 ADCC East Coast Trials, and wins on the biggest superfight shows in jiu-jitsu like Who’s Number One.

In August 2021, Steele made his amateur debut for Fury FC and has been taking the MMA world by storm ever since. After two impressive knockouts in the amateur ranks, Kody made his pro-debut in February 2022 and kept his momentum rolling.

Kody has pushed his record to an impressive 6-0, with three knockouts, one submission, and two decisions. Although we have only seen one submission in Steele’s six pro fights, we have yet to truly see his jiu-jitsu on full display inside the cage. Instead, Steele has showcased his heavy hands and ability to put his opponent away early, which undeniably creates incredibly entertaining fights.

His ability to create exciting fights and put his opponents away helped him earn a spot on the Dana White Contender Series on Tuesday, September 10th. Dana White’s Contender Series has been the proving grounds for the UFC stars of tomorrow since its inception in 2017, which featured now UFC bantamweight champion and combat sports megastar ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley.

A big win on the Contender Series could catapult Kody Steele’s career and help him become one of the next big stars of the UFC. Not only would this be a huge opportunity for Kody to keep progressing his career and showcase the work he has put into combat sports, but it would mean we have another elite representative of the gentle art in the UFC. 

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