ALABAMA TWISTERS BRING PRO GRAPPLING HOME WITH SEVEN-FIGURE PGF DEAL

New team, owned by local gym leaders, joins the fast-growing Professional Grappling Federation founded by an Alabama native.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – 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.

The ownership group includes three prominent Birmingham-area gym leaders: Matt Elkins of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Birmingham, Russell Marbut of Ohm Jiu Jitsu, and Cole Dobbins of Cobra Jiu Jitsu Chelsea. Their local gyms already collaborate on free, all-city training sessions on weekends.

"We've come together as gym owners to create something bigger than ourselves – a platform for our athletes to shine on a national stage while inspiring the next generation back home," said Elkins, who serves as the Twisters' Team President.

The investment represents a significant step for the PGF, a submission-only grappling league now in its eighth season. The league itself has deep Alabama roots, having been founded in Decatur by Brandon Mccaghren and Keelan Lawyer. The PGF relocated to Las Vegas after its fifth season when it brought on new partners, including Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory and Heather Gracie, a member of the legendary Gracie family that pioneered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Mccaghren, who serves as the PGF Commissioner, sees the Alabama team as a full-circle moment.

"The Alabama Twisters are pioneering a new era for the Professional Grappling Federation," Mccaghren stated. "Their innovative approach not only strengthens ties within Alabama but also sets a blueprint for growing the sport nationwide."

The connection is personal for the commissioner. As an Alabama native who still calls Hartselle home, Mccaghren is a leading figure in modern Jiu Jitsu, making the establishment of an Alabama-based team a particularly significant milestone.

The Twisters have already made a strong debut in PGF Season 8, ending Week 1 just one point behind the league leaders. The team, coached by world-class grappler Renato Canuto, features a roster of elite talent like 17-year-old phenom Raphael Ferreira competing for a prize pool of over $100,000.

Team co-owner Cole Dobbins compared the vision for the Twisters to that of beloved local sports franchises. "It's about giving back to the community that's supported us, much like how the Birmingham Barons or Legion rally local fans and boost the economy."

The team's launch comes as interest in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to surge, largely driven by the popularity of mixed martial arts and promotions like the UFC. With Jiu Jitsu gyms proliferating across the state, the Twisters hope to inspire a new wave of athletes in a sport that builds both physical and mental resilience.

PGF matches air live every Wednesday on the league's YouTube channel. More information on the team can be found at their official website, alabamatwisters.org.

###

Contact Information:
Alabama Twisters
Email: info@alabamatwisters.org
Website: www.alabamatwisters.org
Instagram: @alabamatwisters

PGF World
YouTube: @PGFWorld
Instagram: @pgfworld