Polaris 23 is set to take place at the Doncaster Dome on Saturday, March 11th, 2023 and is expected to be one of the biggest and most exciting jiujitsu events of the year. The event will feature eight of the world’s best female grapplers competing for a $20,000 prize in the women’s under 66kg Grand Prix, as well as a thrilling super fight of Chris Weidman vs Owen Livesey and an undercard packed with local talent.
ADCC Veteran Showdown Bianca Basilio vs Brianna Ste-Marie
Recent additions to the Grand Prix include Julia Maele, a veteran of ADCC 2022, who earned her spot at the event by winning the European trials but lost in the opening round to the returning champion from 2019, Bianca Basilio. Maele is the reigning IBJJF European champion at middleweight and is considered to be one of the best grapplers to ever come from Norway. Joining her is Canadian competitor Brianna Ste-Marie, the silver medallist from the same division at ADCC 2022. Ste-Marie has made a name for herself in the grappling world, winning both North American ADCC trials to earn her spot at the world championships before reaching the podium in 2022.
The seventh woman to be added to the Grand Prix is Jaidyn Mueller, one of Tom DeBlass’ top students. Mueller is ranked in the top ten in her weight class and is an IBJJF no-gi world champion, having already defeated some of the best female grapplers in the world. The final spot in the Grand Prix will go to the winner of Polaris Contenders on February 4th, 2023, which will feature 32 of Europe’s top young competitors, and the eventual winner will have to defeat five of them in one day to earn her place at Polaris 23.
Polaris 23: Action-Packed Prelims
The preliminary card of the event will feature some of Europe’s top grapplers, including Ellis Younger, the first English man to reach the podium at the IBJJF no gi worlds at black belt last year, who will be facing Ben Bennet. Fan-favorite Shane Curtis will also be returning at Polaris 23 and will face BJJ black belt, Kris Leeson. Bellator veteran Cal Ellenor will also be competing on the preliminary card against Alex Thompson, while recently-promoted BJJ black belt Chris White faces Liam Cann of Scramble Academy Leeds. Rounding out the preliminary card are two more matches as Ian Jones takes on Paul Lukowski and Adam Peart faces Jake Goldthorpe.
This event is not to be missed and tickets are available now. Fans can expect a thrilling night of jiujitsu action at the Doncaster Dome on March 11th.
