Qualifier Recap
The Philly Special: 19-Year-Old Phenom Jayden Groner Dominates in Bethlehem
19-year-old rising star Jayden Groner tears through the Philadelphia Phenoms Qualifier, going 5-0 with less than 5 minutes of total mat time to punch his ticket to the PGF Draft.
The Road to the 2026 PGF Season (kicking off March 4) made its penultimate stop this weekend in Bethlehem, PA. Hosted by the Philadelphia Phenoms, this qualifier didn't just continue the trend of "blink-and-you-miss-it" grappling—it accelerated it.
If there were any questions about the future of the sport, they were answered on the mats today. The PGF's unique rule set continues to produce the fastest, most exciting jiu-jitsu on the planet, and the "Philly Special" was no exception.
Enter the Young Gun: Jayden Groner
Emerging from one of the most stacked brackets in PGF qualifier history was 19-year-old rising star Jayden Groner. Representing Chicago, Groner didn't just earn his spot in the PGF Draft—he seized it with a terrifying display of efficiency.
In a performance that rivals the legendary "efficiency runs" of seasons past, Groner went 5-0 and spent less than 5 minutes total mat time to do so. He tore through the 175lb division with a versatile arsenal that left opponents with no safe haven.
Groner's Path of Destruction:
| Matchup | Result | Time | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jayden Groner vs. Alec Mills | Break | 0:28 | Kosovo Cradle |
| Jayden Groner vs. Lucas Jones | Break | 1:37 | Outside Heel Hook |
| Jayden Groner vs. Luca Martone Martel | Break | 0:32 | Woj Lock |
| Jayden Groner vs. Tim Bova | Break | 0:19 | Straight Ankle |
| Jayden Groner vs. Tim Bova (Finals) | Kill | 1:22 | Arm Triangle |
Groner proved he is dangerous from everywhere, hitting everything from leg locks to upper body strangles with surgical precision. He now officially joins the shark tank that will be the PGF Season 10 Draft on February 4th.
By The Numbers: A Pace That Kills
This qualifier continued the PGF's statistical trend of an insane submission rate. The "feeling out" process is extinct. The shot clock and the culture of the PGF have solidified a new standard: if you aren't finishing, you aren't winning.
Groner now joins an elite list of Qualifier Winners who have punched their ticket to Vegas:
Anthony Salisbury (Alabama Twisters Qualifier)
Travis Haven (Chewjitsu Open)
Sam Schwartzapfel (Pasadena Qualifier)
Austin Oranday (Dallas Qualifier)
Jayden Groner (Philadelphia Phenoms Qualifier)
The Final Stop: Last Call for Vegas
We have one bullet left in the chamber. The final opportunity to earn a spot on the PGF roster takes place next week, January 24th, in Las Vegas. Hosted by the Las Vegas Kings, this is the last stand for anyone hoping to make the cut.
With the roster filling up with killers like Groner, Salisbury, and Haven, the pressure for the final spot is at an all-time high.