Ffion Davies: from Cardiff bouncer to UFC BJJ title contender
Mar 22nd 2026 ยท United Kingdom
Swansea-born multiple BJJ world champion Ffion Davies went from working as a bouncer in Cardiff to contesting the UFC BJJ women's bantamweight title in Las Vegas while highlighting growth and ongoing gender issues in the sport.
- Ffion Davies, 31, is a Swansea-born former junior Welsh and British judo champion who won multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world titles in 2022 and 2023.
- She worked as a bouncer in Cardiff while building a BJJ and MMA career and only became a full-time professional in the past four years.
- Davies lost a razor-thin split decision for the UFC BJJ women's bantamweight title in Las Vegas but remains a leading contender.
- UK BJJ membership grew from about 10,000 in 2016 to over 40,000 in 2025, according to the UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association.
- Davies and UKBJJA say misogyny and gender disparity persist in some events and training environments, discouraging some women from joining.
- The UKBJJA plans coach education and stronger safeguarding at member academies in 2026 to improve inclusion and safety.