Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Legend Renzo Gracie to Headline PhyGital Web3 Expo in Alabang

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie is set to headline the upcoming PhyGital Web3 Expo and Grappling Tournament, scheduled for July 26–27 at The Tent in Filinvest, Alabang.

The hybrid event, touted as the first of its kind in the country, will combine traditional martial arts competition with emerging web3 and tech exhibits, Miguel Avila, entrepreneur and support organizer of the event, told BitPinas in an interview.

First PhyGital Grappling Tournament

Organized by PHYGT Network, the event will feature gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, alongside web2 and web3 business exhibits, product demos, and blockchain panels. The expected turnout ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 athletes, with foot traffic projected between 2,000 and 15,000 and an online reach of 40,000 to 70,000 viewers.

Additional attractions include:

VS Staking: Token-based academy matchups
Elite Exhibition Matches
Meet-and-Greet with Renzo Gracie
VIP Buffet and Raffles
Panels and product showcases from tech startups

The venue will also feature exhibitor booths, LED displays, food stalls, and dedicated VIP and speaker zones.

Dignitaries from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces, Department of Education, and the embassies of Brazil and Japan are expected to attend.

Interview: Idea Behind PhyGital Web3 Expo

Photo for the Article - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Legend Renzo Gracie to Headline PhyGital Web3 Expo in Alabang

With just days to go before the PhyGital Grappling Tournament and Web3 Expo, web3 entrepreneur Miguel Avila shared his vision for the event’s long-term impact, highlighting its dual focus on community building and technological innovation.

Avila shared that the upcoming event would double as a tournament and product launchpad.

Day one will feature traditional matches across age groups alongside blockchain panels and web3 product demos.
The goal is to introduce web3 to the combat sports community through hands-on experiences, such as app demos and user onboarding, rather than a typical conference format.

“It’s going to work inside-out, not outside-in… We want the users who will really appreciate the application to come on board first before anyone else.”

Miguel Avila, web3 entrepreneur

Accordingly, he invites combat sports fans, athletes, and companies to attend or partner, adding that sponsorships and brand collaborations are still open.

Who is Renzo Gracie

A 7th-degree coral belt in BJJ, Renzo Gracie is a two-time ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion and a 2022 ADCC Hall of Fame inductee. Appointed in 2023 as Head of Grappling for the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, he is also the personal instructor to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a role he has held since 1993.

Gracie founded the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, a renowned training ground for MMA champions such as:

Georges St-Pierre
Matt Serra
Chris Weidman
Frankie Edgar
John Danaher, creator of the “Danaher Death Squad”

Following the tournament, Gracie will lead seminars across Metro Manila, including a session for uniformed personnel at Camp Crame on July 29, followed by workshops with DEFTAC and other academies.

Physical Activities Meet Web3

Avila shared the motivations behind PHYGT and the digital innovation driving it, a Train-to-Earn model that blends combat sports and blockchain.

Speaking about the concept’s origins, Avila said the idea of PHYGT Philippines was born during the pandemic in 2020, when digital and web3 gaming surged.

Together with co-founders, Avila envisioned a platform that would encourage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners, new or experienced, to train consistently and be rewarded through token incentives. The platform has since evolved into the Fight (PHYGT) Network, an ecosystem linking BJJ academies globally, including major hubs in Brazil.

“So the motivation of 5Gverse or the PHYGT side, physical, digital, it aims to encourage the user to train physically with the partner academies and gyms with the aim of leveling up the user both physically and digitally. Because with the tokens that they will get awarded with and the in-ecosystem application, they can purchase things within the ecosystem that may be a better deal than purchasing it in the physical world.”

Miguel Avila, web3 entrepreneur

The app features a versus staking system, where users or academies can challenge one another, and a unique “Black Belt Challenge”, where top practitioners like Master Renzo Gracie will post skill-based missions that users can complete to earn rewards.

Avila emphasized the sport’s broader utility: beyond rewards, Jiu-Jitsu fosters calmness under pressure and mental resilience.

He highlighted that unlike other web3 sports models such as Walk-to-Earn or Sleep-to-Earn, the PHYGT platform focuses on building a sustainable community rooted in real-world physical activity.

When asked about future plans, Avila confirmed that the event is just the beginning of a larger rollout, with plans to expand the tournament to other countries.

How it works:

Participants can engage with the PHYGT app by scanning QR codes available at partner gyms or events, allowing them to receive token airdrops as part of a blockchain-integrated rewards system.

Continued participation and consistent training activity unlock further incentives and platform utilities, encouraging regular involvement in the ecosystem.

According to Avila, the platform aims to foster collaboration between users, academies, and the PHYGT network through tokenized interactions and gamified progress tracking.

The app is also designed to be accessible to beginners and non-athletes. He encouraged new users to explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting its physical and mental benefits, including improved focus and stress management developed through high-pressure training environments.