Ffion Davies is a pioneering force in British and European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She broke new ground as the first British (Welsh) black belt to win the IBJJF World Championship in both gi and no-gi formats, securing the no-gi title in 2018 and the gi title in 2019. In 2022, Davies made history by capturing gold in the -60kg division at the 2022 ADCC World Championship, becoming the first ADCC champion from the United Kingdom. Her trailblazing achievements also include being the first European to win the Brazilian Nationals in 2019 and the lightest athlete—male or female—to claim the IBJJF European Championship absolute title. In 2023, she became the first lightweight to earn double gold at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, winning both her 61.5 kg division and the open weight. Davies’s success has elevated the profile of BJJ in Wales and the UK, with her victories celebrated as national milestones. She stands as a role model for European grapplers, proving that athletes from outside Brazil and the United States can reach the sport’s highest levels.

Judo Roots and Stand-Up Prowess

Davies’s martial arts journey began with judo, earning her black belt as a teenager and representing Wales on the junior national squad. Her judo pedigree is evident in her BJJ matches, where she employs aggressive stand-up and dynamic takedowns. Techniques such as foot sweeps and uchi-mata are staples of her arsenal—her uchi-mata attempt against Beatriz Mesquita at the 2019 ADCC World Championship stands out as a technical highlight.

Transition to MMA and Mental Fortitude

In 2013, Davies expanded her skill set by transitioning to mixed martial arts, training alongside UFC fighter Brett Johns in Wales. She compiled a 4-0 amateur MMA record, with all wins by first-round submission. This period sharpened her submission instincts and mental resilience, traits that define her grappling style. Her MMA experience also fortified her ability to overcome adversity, exemplified by her perseverance through injuries and her determination to compete—and medal—at the IBJJF Worlds the day after being mugged at knifepoint in Brazil.

Early Development and Key Mentors

Ffion Davies began her BJJ journey under Chris Rees, Wales’s first black belt, who awarded her the blue belt. Seeking greater challenges, she moved to train with Darragh O’Conaill at East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Ireland, which became her competitive home base. O’Conaill promoted her to black belt in November 2018.

Pursuit of Elite Training

Davies’s drive for excellence led her to Essential Jiu-Jitsu in New York, where she trained with JT Torres in 2021 ahead of major events like the Worlds and ADCC Trials. She credits this period—marked by intense positional sparring and exposure to world-class training partners—with elevating her competitive edge. As of July 2025, Davies serves as head coach at ARMA BJJ, reflecting her commitment to both high-level competition and developing the next generation of athletes.

Davies is renowned for her aggressive, submission-focused style that prioritizes finishing over points. Her judo background shapes her approach, with frequent use of foot sweeps and explosive throws, particularly the uchi-mata. She demonstrates exceptional resilience, consistently performing under adversity—whether battling injuries or overcoming personal setbacks. Davies’s relentless pursuit of submissions and refusal to stall for points have established her as one of the sport’s most dynamic and respected competitors.

Leadership and Influence

Beyond her competitive accolades, Davies is a leading advocate for women in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She regularly conducts women-only seminars and camps, including headlining Girls in Gis events across Europe. In 2023, she promoted Rosa Walsh to black belt, making Walsh the first female black belt in Ireland—a testament to Davies’s impact as a mentor and coach.

Building Community and Promoting Wellbeing

Davies is dedicated to building infrastructure for women’s BJJ in the UK and Ireland, mentoring athletes such as Jasmine Hearn and providing guidance on competition mindset and training routines. She openly discusses her experiences with mental health, anxiety, and burnout, encouraging a balanced and sustainable approach to competition. Her transparency has inspired many in the community and reinforced her reputation as a leader and role model.

In December 2023, Davies reached a historic milestone at the 2023 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, winning both her weight class (61.5 kg) and the absolute division. She became the lightest athlete ever to win the absolute at No-Gi Worlds, submitting a much larger opponent, Heather Raftery, in the final. This achievement echoed her double gold at the 2020 European Open, but by accomplishing it on the World stage, Davies solidified her status as one of the pound-for-pound best female grapplers in the sport.