Nicholas Meregali is returning to competition after 17 months away. Now signed exclusively with UFC BJJ, Meregali offered his thoughts on the Craig Jones Invitational and the current state of professional jiu-jitsu.
When asked about competing exclusively for UFC BJJ versus other events, Meregali made his stance on CJI clear during a Connectcast appearance:
“I don’t think they’re entering the grappling world to lose or to make the industry smaller or to destroy the industry, as was the example of CJI. CJI entered to divide the industry in a negative way.”
Meregali explained his decision to sign exclusively with UFC BJJ:
“I think they are entering to add, they are entering to professionalize. They have structure to put me where I want, in the sense of career, brand, finances.”
“The idea is to try to compete four times this year.”
Meregali went on to imagine his ideal schedule, failing to realize that UFC BJJ has said they plan to put on a total of 10 events in 2026.
He elaborated on the business structure that convinced him:
“You performed. Bonus of the night. Your payment goes up. We put you more in the media. Our business grows. And when you see a ladder of people being trained, man, I think this will help Grappling a lot.”
Meregali drew comparisons to established sports:
“If the guys want to grow, build a long-term brand, pay the athlete with a projection. Like, we want to pay you this amount. You need to win this number of matches. You need to sell this number of pay-per-views. I think it’s natural for us to have this, to bring this side of business to Jiu-Jitsu.”
“I think we need to naturally follow what works, man. And the UFC proved that it works. It’s a billion dollar industry, right? And the guys are coming to win.”
Reflecting on grappling’s current state, Meregali said:
“It’s a new sport, man. There’s no money. There’s no structure… Otherwise, we’ll always be competing in the Gi here and there. Paying to compete. Or signing to compete with one or another organization here and there. Making a few thousand dollars. It doesn’t make sense.”
Meregali underwent four surgeries during his time away, including two shoulder procedures and operations on his knee and elbow. He faces Nico Maglicic at UFC BJJ on the 12th in his return match.
His goals are modest:
“I’m going super open-hearted, I’m going super without expectations, I’m going super with the idea that I’m going to win. I’m going super with the idea that I just need to step on the tatami and perform.”
Looking ahead, he plans to compete four times by late summer and pursue both the 205 lbs (93 kg) and above-205 lbs (93 kg) UFC BJJ championships. Currently walking around at 220 lbs (100 kg), Meregali believes cutting 15 lbs (7 kg) is manageable.
