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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PHYGT) |
Legends On The Mat 2026, a rare and historic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gathering held last January 31-February 1, 2026 at the 2020 Function Room of The Bellevue Manila, brought world-class grappling to the forefront, uniting global icons, elite athletes, and the local Jiu-Jitsu community for an unforgettable post-event showcase of excellence, discipline, and cultural exchange. Conceptualized by DefTac's Anton Bayot, PHYGT CEO Jonathan Sandoval, and B Hotels Managing Director Ryan Chan, Legends On The Mat 2026 marked a significant milestone in Philippine combat sports history. Mounted in partnership with PHYGT, the event further strengthened the country’s growing presence in the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene.
The event was headlined by two of the most influential and revered figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master Ralph “The Bull” Gracie and Renzo “King Of The Streets” Gracie. Both masters and champions, the Gracie brothers competed at the highest levels of the sport and built some of the world’s most respected and successful Jiu-Jitsu academies. Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is internationally recognized for it’s disciplined, competition-driven culture and it’s commitment to building resilient, fight-ready athletes. Beyond the mats, their mission extends to meaningful social impact through the Ralph Gracie Mongolia Foundation which provides free Jiu-Jitsu training to underserved youth in Mongolia. Meanwhile, the Renzo Gracie Academy is home to world champions, UFC legends, and the globally renowned Danaher Death Squad lineage, Having both Ralph and Renzo Gracie lead a single training experience was extraordinarily rare, making Legends On The Mat 2026 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for practitioners, fans, and athletes in the Philippines. Beyond the sport itself, the event sparked a meaningful cultural partnership with the Brazilian Embassy represented by Counsellor Gerson Gimenis, Head of the Cultural Section, together with his wife Hope Zhang. This collaboration highlighted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu not only as a world-class discipline, but also as a powerful cultural bridge that strengthened people-to-people ties through shared values of respect, discipline, and community.
Participants were immersed in a comprehensive sports and wellness program emphasizing physical resilience, mental discipline, and personal safety. Highlights included live technical demonstrations led by Ralph and Renzo Gracie, NO-Gi Super Fights featuring elite-level grapplers, exhibition matches showcasing technical mastery, and self-defense sessions focused on real-world application and confidence. Legends On The Mat 2026 also aligned with The Bellevue Manila’s commitment to sustainability, health, wellness, and sports tourism. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, the property remains dedicated to creating high-impact experiences that promote physical well-being, community engagement, and cultural exchange through sport. The organizers extended their heartfelt appreciation to their media partners — The Manila Times, One News PH, BusinessMirror, The Game, ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel), and PeopleAsia — for amplifying the event’s reach and legacy. Gratitude was also extended to the event’s generous sponsors whose support made this historic gathering possible: Evian, Barilla, Ceres, EveGrocer, HongQi, Cudis, Afro Jitsu Mats, BrauBass, EveGT, and Mama Lou’s. Legends On The Mat 2026 was a defining moment for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Philippines, celebrating excellence, legacy, and the unifying power of sport.
