Mateusz Szczecinski

Record: 10-9-2 (W-L-D)

Born: October 13, 1994 (age 31)

Black Belt Under: Sylwester Dziekanowski

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda › Carlos Gracie › Helio Gracie › Rickson Gracie › Marcelo Behring › Waldomiro Perez Junior › Jorge Patino › Mariusz Linke › Sylwester Dziekanowski › Mateusz Szczecinski View in the tree →

Weight Class: Welterweight

Favorite Technique: Over 90% of his wins are via submission, with most by straight ankle lock.

Team: Academia Gorila (Koszalin, Poland)

Did you know?

Of Szczecinski's 10 recorded wins, 7 came by submission, a 70 percent submission win rate against a site average of 40 percent. That fits the submission-hunting reputation.
His finishes on record are split between the top and the bottom of the body, with 2 armbars and 2 straight ankle locks leading the way, plus a heel hook mixed in. He is a threat whether he attacks the arms or the legs.
One of his most notable finishes was an armbar over Garry Tonon at the 2024 ADCC World Championship. He hit the same submission again to beat Michael Liera Jr. at Polaris 38: Welterweight Grand Prix in 2026.
He tapped William Tackett with a straight ankle lock at the 2022 ADCC World Championship and later used the same finish on Deandre Corbe at Polaris 38 in 2026. The ankle lock has been a reliable weapon for him at the highest level.
His recorded matches run from 2018 to 2026, and his busiest year on record is 2026 with 6 matches. He is competing more, not less, deep into his run.

Early Life and Athletic Background

Mateusz Szczecinski was born on October 13, 1994, in Poland. Initially drawn to football (soccer) during his childhood, Szczecinski showcased his athletic versatility early on. At a local School Sports Club, he notably excelled in sprinting, particularly the 100-meter dash. Influenced by Poland's strong combat sports culture, he transitioned into martial arts at age 12, beginning his journey with boxing.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Development Under Sylwester Dziekanowski

At age 13, Szczecinski started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Sylwester Dziekanowski at Gold Team. His rapid progression and dedication earned him his black belt from Dziekanowski on December 21, 2017. Szczecinski later moved to Academia Gorila in Koszalin, Poland, continuing his evolution into an elite-level competitor.

No-Gi Submission Specialist Style

Mateusz Szczecinski is widely recognized for his aggressive, submission-focused grappling style, particularly in no-gi formats. Over 90% of his victories come via submission, with the straight ankle lock standing out as his signature technique. Szczecinski's relentless pursuit of submissions, combined with his precise leg attacks and positional dominance, has established him as one of the most dynamic and exciting grapplers of his generation.

Polaris Invitational Career Highlights

In June 2023, Szczecinski captured the Polaris Pro Welterweight Championship with a swift 42-second submission victory over Jed Hue. He successfully defended his Polaris title in 2024, securing a decision win against Levi Jones-Leary. Recognizing his exceptional talent and marketability, Polaris signed Szczecinski to an exclusive European contract, solidifying his status as one of the promotion's premier athletes.

ADCC Championship Journey

Representing Poland at the prestigious ADCC 2022, Szczecinski narrowly lost to Dante Leon in overtime, demonstrating his resilience and competitive spirit. Returning stronger at ADCC 2024, he delivered a standout performance by submitting renowned grappler Garry Tonon via armbar in the opening round of the under-77kg division. Szczecinski advanced to the quarter-finals, ultimately losing on points to PJ Barch. Undeterred, Szczecinski avenged this loss by submitting Barch during a 2025 Polaris Squads team event, further cementing his reputation as a formidable competitor on the international grappling stage.