Luke Griffith was born on December 27, 2000, in South Africa. Immersed in a martial arts environment from a young age, he began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at five, training under his father, Lloyd Griffith, a black belt. This early exposure instilled a strong technical foundation and discipline. Coach Bobby Karagiannidis further shaped Griffith’s formative years, guiding his progression through the ranks up to purple belt and refining his core grappling fundamentals.

As Griffith’s skills matured, he gravitated toward the dynamic world of no-gi grappling. Determined to challenge himself at the highest level, he relocated to Austin, Texas, where he initially trained at the Renzo Gracie Academy. His technical prowess and competitive drive caught the attention of John Danaher, who invited him to join the professional training group at the Roka Training Centre. This pivotal move integrated Griffith into the elite New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, providing access to world-class coaching and training partners, and marking a decisive evolution in his competitive career.

Griffith’s ascent on the international stage began with his victory at the ADCC European & African Trials in 2022 as a purple belt, earning him a coveted spot at the 2022 ADCC World Championship. Competing in the under-99kg division, he engaged in a tightly contested opening round, gaining invaluable experience against the world’s best. In 2023, Griffith secured a second ADCC Trials gold, reinforcing his reputation as a rising force. At the 2024 ADCC World Championship, he moved up to the +99kg division and captured a silver medal, submitting three of four opponents—a testament to his evolving submission arsenal and tactical adaptability.

IBJJF and Submission-Only Success

Griffith’s no-gi credentials are highlighted by his double gold at the 2023 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship as a brown belt, where he demonstrated superior positional control and relentless submission attacks.

High-Profile Wins and Black Belt Promotion

In 2024, Griffith showcased his finishing ability by submitting reigning ADCC champion Kaynan Duarte via heel hook at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 7, a technical display of lower limb control and timing. Early in 2025, he outpointed Victor Hugo by decision at Who’s Number One 27, blending strategic guard passing with effective top pressure. Griffith received his black belt from John Danaher in April 2025, a milestone reflecting his technical mastery and competitive achievements.

Who’s Number One Heavyweight Title

In December 2025, Griffith captured the Who’s Number One heavyweight championship at Who’s Number One 31 in Austin, Texas. He submitted Felipe Pena with a rear-naked choke in under four minutes—a significant accomplishment, especially given Pena’s previous victories over Griffith. This win underscored Griffith’s rapid evolution and ability to adapt his strategy against elite opposition.

Throughout his rise, Griffith has benefited from the mentorship of renowned coaches John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, and Garry Tonon at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. Earning both his brown and black belts under Danaher, Griffith represents New Wave on the global stage. His technical approach—emphasizing systematic positional advancement and high-percentage submissions—reflects the team’s analytical methodology and cements his role in New Wave’s reputation as a powerhouse in no-gi grappling.

Following his victory at Who’s Number One 31, Griffith openly disclosed his use of a peptide stack—including SLU-PP-332, GLOW, MOTS-C, and BPC-157—during his training camp for the match against Felipe Pena. He also addressed a brief debate regarding the duration of the submission, clarifying that he maintained the hold until the referee’s intervention, ensuring adherence to competition protocol and athlete safety.