What began as a Canadian-based competition circuit grew into an international operation under Aguzzi's direction. Grappling Industries expanded into Australia in 2015, establishing its first footprint outside Canada and signaling that the round-robin model held appeal well beyond its home market. The following year, in 2016, the circuit entered the United States — a move that dramatically increased the organization's reach and the competitive opportunities available to North American grapplers.
Scaling Across Continents
By 2017, Aguzzi had set an ambitious internal benchmark: hosting tournaments in every American state by the end of 2018. That goal reflected the pace at which Grappling Industries was scaling and the demand the format appeared to be generating across diverse regional markets.
The circuit's growth also attracted meaningful commercial validation. Brands including Fight Life and ALBINO & PRETO aligned themselves with Grappling Industries, bringing the ability to offer compelling incentives to competitors — including fully paid trips to the organization's flagship events. Those sponsorships provided financial support for the circuit's expansion while signaling that the broader BJJ industry recognized Grappling Industries as a serious and growing platform.
Aguzzi represents Canada, and the arc of the organization he built — from a domestic competition series rooted in an inclusive format to an international circuit with sponsors, cross-continental events, and a stated goal of coast-to-coast American coverage — reflects both his long-term vision and the broader appetite for accessible, practitioner-first BJJ competition.