The first match for Polaris 21: Grapple Island is here and this one is guaranteed to produce fireworks. Ffion Davies is the reigning under 55kg world champion and she will be facing off with one of the most successful female athletes in the history of BJJ, Michelle Nicolini.
Nicolini has won the second-most IBJJF world titles ever with an incredible eight gold medals to her name, only two behind Beatriz Mesquita. She’s also won four IBJJF no gi world titles and has managed to reach the podium at the ADCC world championships on four separate occasions, with one of them being a gold medal. Nicolini has beaten virtually everyone there is to beat in female BJJ and has even embarked upon a professional MMA career over the years as well, amassing a respectable 6-3 record and challenging for the ONE Championship Strawweight title.
She won’t have an easy time on September 24th however, as Ffion Davies has quickly established herself as one of the most formidable female grapplers on the planet over the last few years. Not only is she a Polaris champion, but she’s also the first British person to win an IBJJF world title both in the gi and in no gi. She has been one to watch for quite some time, but solidified her status back in 2019 with a breakout performance at the ADCC world championships that saw her leave with a silver medal.
One thing is for sure, both women will leave it all on the mats at Polaris 21: Grapple Island and the fans will definitely leave as winners.
