South Korea’s prominent MMA organization Zeus FC is officially expanding beyond mixed martial arts with the launch of a new professional grappling league, ZJP (Zeus Jiu‑Jitsu Professional). The promotion confirmed that its inaugural event, ZJP 01, will take place on January 24, 2026, at the Zeus FC Olympus Arena in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
The move marks a major strategic shift for Zeus FC, which has traditionally focused on MMA but now aims to establish a fully professionalized jiu‑jitsu ecosystem, a departure from the hobbyist‑driven tournament culture that dominates much of the Korean BJJ scene. According to the organization, ZJP is designed to create a competitive environment where grapplers can build legitimate careers, receive fair compensation, and compete under structured, athlete‑first management.
ZJP 01 will feature 16 total matches, divided into an eight‑bout undercard (5 minutes × 1 round) and an eight‑bout main card (10 minutes × 1 round). The league will also introduce specialized Gi and No‑Gi matchups, signaling its intent to elevate grappling to a broadcast‑ready professional sport.
Zeus FC stated that ZJP will incorporate a modern production system, aiming to deliver high‑quality sports entertainment for fans while offering athletes a new platform for visibility and long‑term development. The promotion emphasized its goal of ushering in a “Jiu‑Jitsu Pro Era” in Korea by creating a sustainable competitive structure that complements the country’s growing MMA talent pipeline.
The inaugural main event will feature standout competitors Hong Wan‑pyo and Lee Kyo‑sung, headlining what Zeus FC hopes will become a flagship series for professional grappling in Asia.
With ZJP, Zeus FC positions itself as a pioneer in Korea’s evolving combat‑sports landscape, bridging MMA, grappling, and professional sports entertainment under one expanding brand.
Be sure to follow Zeus FC for more updates on their expansion into Jiu Jitsu in Korea:
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