South Korea’s Zeus FC expands beyond MMA with the creation of ZJP (Zeus Jiu-Jitsu Professional), aiming to usher in a new era of professional jiu-jitsu competition in Korea.
South Korean mixed martial arts promotion Zeus FC has officially announced the launch of its new professional jiu-jitsu (BJJ) organization, ZJP (Zeus Jiu-Jitsu Professional), marking a significant expansion into the rapidly growing grappling scene.
The inaugural event, ZJP 01, is scheduled for January 24, 2026, and will be held at the Zeus FC (ZFC) Olympus Arena in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
The announcement represents a major milestone for ZFC as it broadens its combat sports portfolio beyond MMA. Through ZJP, the organization aims to establish a fully professional environment for BJJ athletes in Korea, creating new opportunities for competitors to pursue long-term careers in the sport.
According to ZFC, the vision behind ZJP is to move beyond the hobbyist-centered tournament structure that has traditionally characterized much of the Korean BJJ community. The promotion plans to provide athletes with fair compensation, professional management, and a structured competitive platform designed to support sustainable career growth.
ZJP 01 will feature a total of 16 matches, including eight undercard bouts contested under a five-minute, single-round format and eight main card contests scheduled for ten-minute, single-round matches. The event will showcase both Gi and No-Gi divisions, highlighting Zeus FC’s commitment to representing the full spectrum of modern BJJ competition.
Promotion officials also revealed plans for a modern production and broadcast presentation, with the goal of delivering a high-quality viewing experience for fans while increasing athlete exposure. ZFC believes the initiative can help accelerate the development of professional BJJ in Korea and provide another pathway for grapplers looking to compete at the highest level.
The first ZJP main event will feature respected competitors Wan Pyo Hong and Kyo Sung Lee, who are set to headline the historic debut card.
As Korean combat sports continue to evolve, ZFC is positioning itself at the forefront of that growth by connecting MMA, grappling, and sports entertainment under a unified brand. The launch of ZJP signals the organization’s ambition to establish what it describes as a new “Jiu-Jitsu Pro Era” in Korea, potentially creating one of Asia’s premier professional grappling platforms.
Fans can follow Zeus FC for additional announcements regarding matchups, athlete signings, and future developments surrounding the ZJP professional BJJ league.
The Growth of Jiu-Jitsu Continues in Korea
The launch of ZJP comes at a time when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is experiencing unprecedented growth in South Korea and around the world. While Korea has long been recognized for producing elite wrestlers, judokas, and mixed martial artists, the country’s dedicated jiu-jitsu community has expanded dramatically over the past decade.
What was once considered a niche martial art practiced primarily by MMA athletes has evolved into one of Korea’s fastest-growing combat sports. New academies continue to open across the country, local tournaments regularly attract hundreds of competitors, and Korean athletes are increasingly making their presence felt on the international stage. The rise of social media, professional instruction, and greater accessibility to training has also helped introduce the sport to a wider audience beyond traditional martial arts circles.
The growth of jiu-jitsu is not limited to Korea. Globally, grappling has become one of the most rapidly expanding segments of combat sports. Fans who were first introduced to submission fighting through organizations such as the UFC have developed a greater appreciation for the technical aspects of ground fighting and submission grappling. As a result, professional grappling events have gained significant traction among both hardcore fans and casual viewers.
Perhaps the strongest example of this trend came in 2025 when the UFC officially launched UFC BJJ, a dedicated professional grappling platform designed to showcase elite jiu-jitsu athletes under the UFC banner. The creation of UFC BJJ signaled that grappling had reached a level of popularity where it could stand on its own as a professional spectator sport rather than serving solely as a component of mixed martial arts.
For casual fans, the emergence of organizations like ZJP represents another step in that evolution. Professional promotions create recognizable stars, consistent events, and storylines that make the sport easier to follow and understand. By providing athletes with a dedicated platform and professional opportunities, Zeus FC hopes to accelerate the development of Korean jiu-jitsu while introducing a new generation of fans to the sport.
As interest in grappling continues to rise worldwide, ZJP’s launch could prove to be an important milestone for Korean jiu-jitsu and another sign that the sport’s professional future is only beginning.
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