Latest Mateusz Szczecinski News
- Polaris 38 Welterweight Grand Prix Results July 12, 2026
Mateusz Szczecinski is a Polish Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and one of the world’s leading submission grapplers. Widely recognized for his elite leg lock game, Szczecinski has built an international reputation through dominant performances in the sport’s biggest no-gi events, including ADCC, Polaris, UFC Fight Pass Invitational, and other premier professional grappling promotions.
Known as the “Polish Boogeyman,” Szczecinski is especially feared for his devastating straight ankle lock and Achilles lock attacks. While many elite competitors rely on heel hooks in modern no-gi competition, he has consistently demonstrated that traditional foot locks remain among the most effective submission weapons at the highest level of the sport.
Representing Academia Gorila, Szczecinski has earned victories over many of the world’s top grapplers and has become one of the most respected competitors in the welterweight division. His technical precision, patient approach, and relentless submission hunting have made him a fan favorite among leg lock enthusiasts.
Career Highlights
- Polaris 38 Welterweight Grand Prix Champion
- Multiple-time professional grappling champion
- ADCC European Trials Champion
- Veteran of the ADCC World Championships
- Competitor in Polaris Professional Jiu-Jitsu
- Competitor in UFC Fight Pass Invitational
- Wins over numerous elite international black belts
Grappling Style
Szczecinski is best known for his highly specialized lower-body submission system, particularly his straight ankle lock. His game revolves around creating controlled leg entanglements before applying precise breaking mechanics that have finished some of the toughest competitors in professional grappling.
Although leg locks define his style, Szczecinski is also a well-rounded submission artist with victories by armbar, rear-naked choke, and a variety of positional attacks. His tactical patience and efficiency allow him to capitalize on even the smallest mistakes made by his opponents.
Polaris 38 Grand Prix Victory
One of the biggest accomplishments of Szczecinski’s career came at Polaris 38, where he captured the Welterweight Grand Prix championship and the $30,000 winner’s prize.
He submitted Deandre Corbe with an Achilles lock in the opening round before finishing Michael Liera Jr. with a first-round armbar in the semifinals. In the championship match, Szczecinski defeated PJ Barch via split decision after a closely contested 15-minute battle to claim the tournament title.
Why Mateusz Szczecinski Is One of the Best Leg Lockers in BJJ
Few competitors have influenced the perception of the straight ankle lock as much as Szczecinski. At a time when heel hooks dominate no-gi grappling, he has repeatedly proven that the straight ankle lock remains a legitimate fight-ending technique against the sport’s highest-level athletes.
His ability to consistently finish elite black belts with a submission many opponents believe they understand has earned him recognition as one of the most dangerous leg lock specialists of his generation.