Dante Leon: The BJJ Champion Building a Legacy Inside and Outside the Cage

The world of combat sports has always celebrated those who can dominate their opponents on the mat. But what about the fighters who build empires while still competing at the highest level? Enter Dante Leon, the two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion who’s rapidly becoming one of BJJ’s most impressive dual-threats.

While most elite grapplers focus solely on competition, Leon is writing a different story—establishing his own chain of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies while preparing for perhaps the biggest match of his career against phenom Tye Ruotolo for the ONE Championship welterweight submission grappling title.

From Competition Mats to Business Owner

I’ve been following Leon’s career for years, and what impresses me most isn’t just his technical prowess—it’s his vision. At just 27 years old, the Canadian grappling standout has already accomplished what many fighters only dream about after retirement: building a sustainable business empire within his sport.

“Most fighters wait until their competitive days are over to focus on the business side,” a source close to Leon told me. “Dante’s doing both simultaneously, and excelling at both.”

His academies aren’t just cash grabs either. They’re becoming known for high-level instruction and producing competitive athletes—a reflection of Leon’s own technical approach to the gentle art.

Insert image of Dante Leon teaching at one of his academies here

The Ruotolo Challenge: David vs. Goliath?

While building his business, Leon hasn’t taken his foot off the competitive gas pedal. His upcoming match against Tye Ruotolo for ONE Championship gold represents a massive opportunity to elevate his profile even further.

Ruotolo, along with his twin brother Kade, has been nearly untouchable in competition. At just 21 years old, Tye has already defeated legends like Garry Tonon and established himself as one of the sport’s most dangerous submission hunters.

Can Leon’s technical precision overcome Ruotolo’s aggressive, submission-hunting style? That’s the million-dollar question in BJJ circles right now.

Tale of the Tape: Leon vs. Ruotolo

The Business Blueprint: How Leon Built His BJJ Empire

What makes Leon’s business approach unique is his timing. Most fighters wait until retirement to focus on academies, seminars, and instructionals. Leon identified early that building his brand while competing creates a powerful feedback loop—success in one area fuels the other.

His academies aren’t cookie-cutter operations either. Each location has been carefully selected and developed with an eye toward long-term growth rather than short-term profit.

“When you train with Dante, you get someone who’s actively figuring out solutions to the highest-level problems in BJJ,” said one of his students. “That’s totally different from learning from someone who’s been out of the competitive scene for years.”

The Athlete-Entrepreneur Advantage

This dual identity gives Leon advantages that other competitors and other gym owners don’t have:

• His competition success drives student enrollment
• His active competition keeps his teaching fresh and relevant
• His business income provides financial stability many competitors lack
• His business mindset helps him approach competition strategically

Insert image of Dante Leon competing in a major tournament here

What’s Next for BJJ’s Dual-Threat?

If Leon can defeat Ruotolo and claim ONE Championship gold, his stock will rise dramatically. Not only would it represent the biggest win of his competitive career, but it would elevate his academies’ profile and likely lead to more locations.

The question isn’t whether Leon will be successful—he already is. The question is how high his ceiling might be, both as a competitor and entrepreneur.

For the still-young Canadian, this appears to be just the beginning of what could become one of the most impressive legacies in modern jiu-jitsu.

What This Means for the BJJ Community

Leon’s success blueprint provides a potential roadmap for other competitors looking to secure their financial future while still pursuing competitive glory. In a sport where career longevity and financial security have historically been challenges, Leon is showing there’s another way.

I’ll be watching closely when he faces Ruotolo, not just as a matchup between two elite grapplers, but as the next chapter in what’s becoming one of the most interesting stories in combat sports: how to dominate on the mat while building an empire off it.

Will you be watching when these two BJJ titans collide? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ONE Championship