Press Center
Media resources for Alabama's first professional grappling team
Fact Sheet
Team Overview
Team: Alabama Twisters
League: Professional Grappling Federation (PGF)
Coach: Renato Canuto
Season: 8
Prize Pool: $100,000 team grand prize, $20,000 individual playoff prize
Historic Milestone
First state-based team in the PGF, representing Alabama's growing jiu-jitsu community and owned by local gym owners and athletes who united to bring professional grappling to the state.
Roster
Raphael Ferreira
17-year-old phenom
Kris Olivo
Veteran anchor
Matt Masch
Elite competitor
Brady Hylton
Rising talent
Jordan Wirth
Dynamic grappler
Community Ownership
Owned by a collective of 9 local gym owners across Alabama, following a model inspired by the Green Bay Packers:
• Matt Elkins (10th Planet Birmingham)
• Russell Marbut (Ohm Jiu Jitsu, Birmingham)
• Cole Dobbins (Cobra Jiu Jitsu Chelsea)
• J.C. Hiatt (Grapple Jiu Jitsu, Pearl MS)
• Shane Mills (Kagefit, Opelika/Auburn)
• Josh Yelverton (10th Planet Gulf Shores)
• Kurtis Taylor (Cobra BJJ Tuscaloosa)
• Jacob Lamar (Cobra BJJ, Athlete)
• Flearoy Brown (Cobra Jiu Jitsu Chelsea, Wrestling Coach)
Industry Growth
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Growth
- • 104% participation growth since 2004
- • ~750,000 practitioners nationwide
- • 18 million Americans in martial arts
- • 80%+ growth in cross-training facilities
PGF League Stats
- • 30,000+ Instagram followers
- • Millions of YouTube views
- • Weekly broadcasts every Wednesday
- • Growing media coverage and partnerships
Press Releases
Alabama Twisters Bring Pro Grappling Home with Seven-Figure PGF Deal
Alabama has a new professional sports team, but you won't find them on a field or a court. The Alabama Twisters, the state's first professional grappling team, have officially launched in the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) after a landmark seven-figure deal.
Owned by a coalition of six local Jiu Jitsu gym owners and three of their athletes, the Twisters aim to establish Alabama as a new hub in the rapidly growing world of professional combat sports.
Press Coverage
PGF's Brandon McCaghren Breaks Down Why Fans Can't Miss Season 8
FloGrappling
"Canuto's Alabama Twisters took a different route—young, scrappy, aggressive athletes with a ton of upside, then anchored by a powerful veteran in Kris Olivo. That's a team built for high output and big, highlight finishes."
Season 8 Roster
Current Season 8 Points: 57
Current Fantasy Points: 92
Head Coach
Renato Canuto
Current Roster
Kris Olivo
Matt Masch
Raphael Ferreira
Photo Coming Soon
Dominic Mejia
Photo Coming Soon
Sergio Ardila
Injured Roster
Brady Hylton
Injured during submission loss, replaced by Noah Gutierrez for Block 2
Jordan Wirth
Injured during match with Christos Papadelos, forfeited Block 3
Photo Coming Soon
Noah Gutierrez
Submitted via Aoki Lock by Landon Elmore, injured during match
Press Photos
Professional photos optimized for web viewing with high-resolution originals (60-100MB) available for publication download.
Team Photos
Individual Athletes
Ownership Group
Key Figures
Two versions available: Optimized web versions for fast viewing, and original high-resolution files for publication. For additional photos or specific image requests, contact info@alabamatwisters.org
Media Contact
Press Inquiries
info@alabamatwisters.orgHigh-resolution photos, additional press materials, and interview requests available upon request.