At just 18 years old, Helena Crevar continues to prove why she’s one of the fastest-rising stars in professional grappling. Recently, at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10, she delivered another incredible moment by submitting seasoned black belt Maggie Grindatti with a nasty calf slicer at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
It was gross! Once Crevar got back control, it was the beginning of the end. The BJJ phenom isolated Grindatti’s leg and applied torque while simultaneously attacking the neck. Despite Grindatti’s high-level experience, she had to tap.
Crevar’s Next Stop Could Be Legendary
Crevar’s latest victory comes at the perfect time, as she’s now set for a historic showdown in June. She will lead Team North America against Ffion Davies and Team Europe in the first-ever female edition of Polaris Squads. While Polaris has been a staple in professional grappling for years, the Squads event is a newer innovation, first introduced in 2020. Since its launch, Polaris has made some tweaks, but it’s one of the coolest events in the BJJ world.
This year, Polaris launched the first Squads Intercontinental Championship, initially focusing on the men’s divisions. That tournament saw Team Europe defeat Team North America to book their spot in the grand finale later this year. Now, it’s time for the women to take the stage. Crevar and Davies have been chosen to lead their respective teams into battle as two of Polaris’s reigning champions. While the team’s rosters haven’t been revealed yet, we are probably going to see some of the best female grapplers in the world go head-to-head.
While Crevar made a name for herself at a young age, Ffion Davies is no slouch; she’s one of the sport’s most accomplished competitors. However, this matchup isn’t just about the captains—the four other women on each squad will play an equally crucial role in determining the outcome. If history is any indication, Team Europe will enter with confidence after their men’s squad dominated earlier this year.
Crevar’s rapid ascent in the grappling world has been impossible to ignore. She’s shot right to the top with her incredible grappling skills and dominate social media presence. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s under the mentorship of the legendary John Danaher. In 2024, she became the youngest ADCC World Championship podium placer ever, securing silver at just 17 years old. Competing primarily at 65kg (143.3 lbs), she is currently a brown belt, but her skills and achievements already place her among the best in the world.
