Jiu-jitsu is one of the most important elements of MMA, and many grapplers have made the successful switch from the mat to the cage. Still, as jiu-jitsu fans it always pains us when somebody hangs up the gi and slips on the 4oz gloves. 

Due to the tough demands of MMA, fighters need to go all-in and focus 100% on their training if they want to succeed. Unfortunately, that means those who make the switch often don’t come back. 

Here are six MMA fighters we wish would come back to compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

6: Ryan Hall 

Best known in MMA for leglocking his way through The Ultimate Fighter, Ryan Hall has been a high level jiu-jitsu competitor since he was a purple belt. He is no stranger to competing either gi or no-gi, and even earned third place at the 2009 ADCC while still a brown belt.  

Hall was infamous in jiu-jitsu for his deadly triangle chokes and use of the 50-50 guard, something we’d like to see him put to good use either gi or no-gi.

5: Gunnar Nelson 

The first Icelandic grappler to be awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Gunnar Nelson exploded onto the scene with a stunning win against Jeff Monson at the 2009 ADCC. Then a 21-year-old brown belt, the 77kg grappler outwrestled and come close to submitting the 100kg+ / 200lb+ veteran in the absolute division. 

Soon after, he embarked on an MMA career that saw him fight in the UFC welterweight division. Nelson is no stranger to the gi but excels in no-gi – exactly where we’d love to see him return, to compete in ADCC or superfights. 

4: Ary Farias 

Atos rep Ary Farias walked away from jiu-jitsu competition after a disappointing incident that saw him disqualified for an over-exuberant celebration after winning the finals of the 2013 IBJJF Worlds. Denied the gold medal, he walked away and focussed his efforts on MMA. 

The featherweight grappler is now fighting in feeder shows in Brazil as he looks to further his career inside the cage. Such a shame that a promising young athlete left jiu-jitsu behind at the height of his career. 

3: Demian Maia 

Known as one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in all of MMA, Demian Maia’s grappling game is about as good as it gets. His takedowns and top control, slick guard passing and sharp submissions skills have seen him rack up an MMA record of 22-6, with 10 submissions (a 45% finishing rate). 

A champion in both gi and no-gi (including a win at ADCC 2007) seeing him back on the mats would be a treat for grappling fans. 

2: Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza 

Along with Maia, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ is one of the best-known jiu-jitsu practitioners to have made the switch to MMA. The Brazilian’s dynamic blend of takedowns, aggressive top game and finishing skills make him a formidable opponent for anybody on the mat or in the cage. 

Jacare’s 16 submission wins in a total of 26 career fights speaks volumes about his grappling ability. Who wouldn’t want to see a guy like that back in a jiu-jitsu match? 

1: BJ Penn 

Hawaiian scrapper BJ Penn was the first non-Brazilian to win a gold medal as a black belt at the World championships, doing so way back in 2000. His amazing grappling skills and love of a good fight saw him capture UFC title belts in two different weight classes. 

During his amazing 15-year MMA career Penn hopped from weight class to weight class in search of the biggest challenges, going as low as featherweight and fighting as high as heavyweight. His insane flexibility was the stuff of legend, as was his impassable guard. What we wouldn’t give to see him come back and compete, gi or no gi.