“There was no money in jiu-jitsu” - Cole Abate proud that BJJ athletes now have more avenues to compete professionally 

American BJJ sensation Cole Abate is thrilled to see jiu-jitsu athletes finally have an opportunity to make a living by competing.

On Dec. 6, 'Ice' made his ONE Championship debut inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and immediately established himself as a formidable force with a quick-fire submission victory over Japanese MMA icon Shinya Aoki.

It was an impressive performance that not only won him the match but also made him $50,000 richer courtesy of a performance bonus from ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

It was a lucrative night for Abate, but financial opportunities like that weren't always available to submission grapplers.

"It wasn’t long ago when people would have to migrate to MMA or something else because there was no money in jiu-jitsu," Abate told FloGrappling. "And now, I feel like because of people like me who are setting the right standards and letting them know what the steps are, that’s actually a possible future. And I’m living it today."

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Dante Leon also made his promotional debut alongside Cole Abate

Also making his promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 26 was Dante Leon who turned a lot of heads with his dominant win over Bruno Pucci earlier in the evening.

Next, Leon will test himself against Norwegian BJJ specialist and two-time ONE world title challenger Tommy Langaker. The two will meet on January 10 at ONE Fight Night 27 on Prime Video.

Abate and Leon are just two of the latest editions to an already incredible submission grappling roster headed up by the Ruotolo brothers — Kade and Tye — who reign as the ONE lightweight and welterweight submission grappling world champions.

ONE Championship's return to Impact Arena on Jan. 24 will also see the return of five-time IBJJF world champion Marcelo Garcia. More than a decade removed from running the table at the 2011 ADCC world championships, Garcia makes his triumphant return to the mat at ONE 170 in a bid to re-establish himself as one of the greatest grapplers on the planet.

Needless to say, it's a good time to be a submission grappler, but it's an even better time to be a fan of the sport.