Ffion Davies

Biography

Ffion Davies is a Welsh Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and one of the most dominant female grapplers of her generation, excelling in both gi and no-gi competition. Originally from Swansea, Wales, Davies began her martial arts journey in judo at age eight, becoming a Welsh and British Open champion and later representing the Welsh National Judo Team. Her judo background remains a defining component of her grappling style.

Davies transitioned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu after exploring MMA in 2013 and quickly rose through the ranks. She earned her black belt under Darragh O’Conaill at East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Dublin in 2018 before later training with JT Torres at Essential Jiu-Jitsu in New York. She now serves as the head coach of ARMA Jiu-Jitsu in London, where she leads one of the strongest women’s grappling programs in the UK.

Davies made history by becoming the first British/Welsh athlete to win both the IBJJF World Championship in the gi (2022, 2023) and multiple IBJJF No-Gi Worlds titles (2018, 2021, 2023), including double gold at the 2023 No-Gi Worlds. In 2022, she further cemented her legacy by capturing the ADCC World Championship, becoming the first British/Welsh competitor ever to achieve the title.

Her no-gi style is marked by relentless pace, sharp positional control, powerful takedowns from her judo base, strong passing mechanics, and high-percentage submissions—particularly the armbar and rear naked choke. Her combination of technical precision, athleticism, and championship consistency has made her one of the most respected and influential figures in modern women’s grappling.

Personal

* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.

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