Two big names will be absent from the No-Gi Worlds come Saturday and Sunday. Dillon Danis and Edwin Najmi are some of the most exciting black belt competitors to watch, but unfortunately they can't make it to this weekend's tournament, and it's all because of MMA. 



No, it's not because Danis or Najmi have made the switch to pro MMA (at least, not yet).

It's because they're both training some of the biggest names in the UFC for upcoming MMA fighters. 

Jiu-jitsu's loss is MMA's gain as two of the sport's most talented submission artists pursue opportunities away from the mats. 


Danis is training with Conor McGregor ahead of the Irishman's lightweight title fight with Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. The fight will go down in New York City at  Madison Square Garden on November 12. 


Najmi is part of the training camp for Rafael Dos Anjos and will be in the Brazilian's corner when the former UFC lightweight champion goes up against Tony Ferguson at the TUF Latin America Finale 3 on Saturday. 

For elite UFC fighters to call upon the services of these two young jiu-jitsu black belts (who are both under the age of 25) to be part of their team as grappling training partners says a lot about their skills on the mat.

Danis has already hinted at a desire to fight MMA. Najmi seems content to remain in jiu-jitsu but will likely stay involved as a coach and training partner.

Danis, Najmi To Compete In 8-Man Tournament 

Fans of jiu-jitsu will be able to watch Dillon Danis and Edwin Najmi compete in the gi as part of the upcoming Five Grappling Super League, an eight-man tournament that goes down on December 3 in San Diego, California. 

The event will feature eight black belts going head-to-head as part of a 170-pound tournament. Danis and Najmi are joined by names such as Sean Roberts, John Combs, Michael Liera Jr., Bill Cooper, Marcelo Mafra, and Brian Morizi. 

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