Adele Fornarino didn’t hold back following her second-round submission victory over Selma Vik at Polaris 35. The double ADCC gold medalist used her post-match interview platform to address what she called a “crisis in jiu-jitsu,” making pointed statements about power structures within the sport.
After securing a RNC finish in round two, Fornarino took the microphone with a clear purpose. While initially discussing her performance and future title aspirations, she quickly shifted to more serious matters affecting the grappling community.
“There’s a crisis in jiu-jitsu at the moment. There’s a big, big problem and it’s coming from the hierarchal structure of our sport,” Fornarino stated. “There’s people in positions of dominance over people that are vulnerable. And these people in positions of dominance, their job is to protect, is to look after and teach people how to protect themselves. So these are the very people that are taking advantage of the most vulnerable in our sport. And it needs to stop.”
The Australian competitor emphasized the need for collective accountability within the jiu-jitsu community.
“The only way that we can make this stop, guys, is if we all hold these people accountable for what they’re doing. No more blissful ignorance. There is no such thing as an innocent bystander anymore, guys. We are in control of this. We need to speak out. We need to speak up. And we need to protect the most vulnerable in this sport.”
Fornarino’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about team dynamics and ethical concerns within prominent jiu-jitsu academies. Her call to action resonated with the audience as she pledged her commitment to change.
“I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure that by the time the next generation gets here, they will not have to deal with this anymore because they don’t deserve it. I love jiu-jitsu. I love this sport. I’ve been doing this my entire life. But we need to fix it. And we need to fix it today, guys.”
Fornarino competes out of Austrlia but belongs (or belonged to team Atos). She was cornered by Andre Galvao during her infamous ADCC run.
In the wake of the incident, a number of gyms in San Diego have opened their doors to students who have left Atos with one even offering a free month’s membership.
On the competition side, Fornarino showcased technical evolution, successfully implementing a more well-rounded game plan. She won the first round 10-9 across all judges’ scorecards before finishing the contest in round two. The bantamweight competitor, who typically competes at 125 lbs (57 kg), expressed openness to defending a potential bantamweight match against any challenger.
WNO vs Polaris Squads – Final Result
Polaris def. WNO, 14–12
Main Card – Squads (Second Half)
Taylor Pearman (Polaris) def. Deandre Corbe (WNO) – Decision
Deandre Corbe (WNO) def. Santeri Lillius (Polaris) – Decision
Santeri Lillius (Polaris) def. Luccas Lira (WNO) – Decision
Luccas Lira (WNO) def. Lucas Kanard (Polaris) – Decision
Lucas Kanard (Polaris) def. Devhonte Johnson (WNO) – Decision
Devhonte Johnson (WNO) def. Meyram Maquine (Polaris) – Submission (RNC)
Meyram Maquine (Polaris) def. Chris Wojcik (WNO) – Decision
Chris Wojcik (WNO) def. Eoghan O’Flanaghan (Polaris) – Decision
Eoghan O’Flanaghan (Polaris) def. Declan Moody (WNO) – Submission (Heel Hook)
Declan Moody (WNO) def. Owen Jones (Polaris) – Decision
Declan Moody (WNO) def. Taylor Pearman (Polaris) – Decision
Polaris Middleweight Championship
Levi Jones-Leary def. Davis Asare – Unanimous Decision (3 rounds)
Women’s Match
Adele Fornarino def. Selma Vik – Submission (RNC), Round 2
