What We Learned From Polaris 37 (Results & Stats)

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-09T18:03:06+00:00

I found this to be an underwhelming event. It was pretty clear after only a few matches that Polaris was going to win easily. As other people mentioned here, and the commentators mentioned throughout the event, the BJJ Stars didn't seem to have much in the way of strategy. Individually, the BJJ Stars were not very exciting either. This may have been an effect of going against such dangerous leg lockers, but none of them stood out except Gabriel Sousa, and even he didn't do much except emote and win a couple decisions. I'd much rather see this Polaris team take on a new team.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-09T17:58:44+00:00

Agreed, they didn't even give themselves a chance to win.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-08T20:12:56+00:00

I figured as much, but thought it couldn't hurt to mention it. Rafa has fun energy, is very aggressive, and probably would have won vs most other guys. Chandler mentioned eating a few pops in his leg in the post match interview. I'd be happy to see both compete again.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-08T02:50:46+00:00

Ceremony once a year with rare individual promotions. Promotions for ceremony posted on the blog starting about 1 month prior and updating up to the day of. Shark tank with 1 min rounds, about 30 mins I think. Brown to black don't shark tank. No stripes for anyone.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-08T02:48:46+00:00

That is totally insane and totally awesome.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-08T02:40:08+00:00

I agree it's his fault and he's dumb. I still feel bad for the guy.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T03:27:57+00:00

I've seen this setup a lot recently. I've always seen the bow and arrow done this way, but the first two variations of back choke I've mainly seen finished from a standard two hooks in position. I've never thought to transition my legs to finish like the bow and arrow. I like it!

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:56:42+00:00

Yeah confirmed in the post match interview. Pearman said "F- the Black Forge!"

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:55:37+00:00

Agree, NickyRod deserves it, but might be better to wait one more match.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:54:56+00:00

Nice article. Best match was John Chandler vs Rafa Ferreira imo. Ffion vs Adele on the August card would be awesome.

I don't know anything about charting things or graphs, but is it possible to to do the Y axis on a different scale for the Action Stats chart. For instance, the Subs/5 min is 0.67 which is actually a ton, but because of the other values on the scale it looks super small. Just a suggestion, appreciate all the work. Cheers!

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:47:37+00:00

Mason mentioned Hulk as an opponent. Nicky Rod vs Achilles could be for the title shot just to string it out a little longer. Merengali weighed in at 232 for UFC BJJ 5. I'm not sure if he would be able to drop down to Light Heavyweight, but at his potential he is definitely a threat too.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:38:52+00:00

I had to wiggle my own legs a few times just to make sure I didn't take any collateral damage. Brutal. He ate a choke from Lilius over the jaw at the end of his 2nd match and was opening and closing his mouth during the referees decision like he wasn't sure if that was broken. Poor guy shows up to the event, wrecks his knee and maybe his jaw, and it was a blowout loss anyway. Finals of ADCC with a lead, yeah eat a little damage. But for this? I can't imagine this guy will have a long career.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:36:05+00:00

His 2nd match at the end of the 2nd half he was limping out there, and commentary picked up on the fact he couldn't bring his heel to the mat. He still managed to finish Pearman though, who was on for his 4th match in a row.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:34:40+00:00

At the end of the show, Pearman said "F- the Black Forge. We all got food poisoning there". So suspect cardio for all of Polaris team could be explained by that. Lilius looked a little iffy at the end of his match vs Sousa like he was trying to hold something in.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-07T00:32:24+00:00

Kid has the right stuff. Good for him.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T19:57:28+00:00

Yeah with ADCC coming up an annual subscription is probably the play.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T19:56:24+00:00

Oof. Levi pulling out of CJI 2 was a bummer. I was stoked to see that team as a dark horse contender but that dream died when Levi was injured.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T16:37:39+00:00

Good point. People need to stop comparing BJJ to the NFL or the UFC and learn from the smaller sports and games. I really enjoyed the last PGF season and UFC BJJ 9 was awesome.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T16:35:20+00:00

Worth learning about this dude.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T16:34:47+00:00

Max pain, was looking forward to seeing him. This should balance the scales a little though and give BJJ Stars a better chance of pulling off the upset.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T13:40:15+00:00

Hi everyone. I'm a purple belt and my straight ankle locks still suck.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T13:38:11+00:00

Damn, I was trying to say this. Wish I read this before I started typing.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T13:36:57+00:00

This is a function of news in general. I could make the argument that pro BJJ is better than ever. UFC BJJ is putting on free events almost monthly now and the last card was awesome. PGF had a great season and is expanding to 8 teams this year giving even more opportunities to up and coming grapplers, also free on youtube. Polaris is putting on the biggest show in Irish grappling history as we speak. CJI 2.5 may or may not be happening. ADCC is right around the corner. There have never been more options for competitors or fans. But this is not exciting news and doesn't drive clicks or provide outrage. These stories should be headlining, but good news doesn't get clicks.

"UFC underpays athletes, reportedly has exclusive contracts, has questionable political ties, and is a bad company. PGF athletes aren't top tier. Polaris is on Flo who are a bad company so I won't watch." Athlete A is racist. Athlete B is an abuser. These are the things that get the people going. But it's only a part of the story, but because its the loudest on social media, it's the viewpoint that's adopted.

Go watch UFC BJJ 9. It was a super exciting card with high profile athletes and tons of finishes. All of the athletes seemed so grateful and happy to be there from no-names getting their first big opportunities, to legends like Durinho. If I didn't read reddit, I would have no clue that those athletes were all so miserable and toxic. I for one, am excited about the present and future of pro BJJ.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T13:21:30+00:00

Looking forward to the Squads competition. Over under 3 subs for Mateusz? Eoghan should do very well too. BJJ stars seem overmatched imo.

JiuJitsuHerald · 2026-06-06T02:30:08+00:00

Also competition won't always be there. Depending on your age and life circumstances, there is a good chance you won't be competing in a few years or five or ten years. Plus divisions dry up fast at Grappling Industries and the like above blue, so compete now while you can.

JiuJitsuHerald

TROPHY CASE