When you hear 'youngest ADCC podium placer' and 'ADCC Trials winner' in the same sentence, you know ONE Championship finally gave the fans what they want: high-level grappling. Helena Crevar's taking on Paige Ivette Clymer on July 17th. If you're not paying attention, you might as well go back to complaining about your gym's changing room being too cold.
Helena Crevar's a grappling prodigy. She's the youngest ADCC podium placer in history, and her record's something most purple belts – and a few black belts – can only dream of. She's been on the pro circuit for a hot second, but she's already got a haul of accolades that people train for years to get. Her game is aggressive, technically sound, and always moving forward – the kind of style that shines under ONE Championship's lights.
Paige Ivette Clymer's the 2026 ADCC Trials winner. That title's not just fancy; it's earned through grit, tactical smarts, and performing under insane pressure. Clymer's win shows she's consistently good, able to outlast and outmaneuver hungry competitors. This isn't a fluke; it's proof of a well-rounded game and a champion's mentality.
Put these two together, and you've got a great problem to have. It's not just two skilled athletes; it's a clash of different paths to the top. Crevar's the generational talent, while Clymer's the grinder who fought her way through the Trials. This stylistic matchup's got purists salivating.
ONE Championship's been trying to make a name for itself in grappling, and matches like Crevar vs. Clymer legitimize their division. It's fresh faces, real stakes, and young blood. These aren't veterans on a farewell tour; they're competitors shaping pro grappling's narrative.
According to ONE's VP of Operations, Matthew Miller, booking this fight was a 'no-brainer' once both athletes were available. Crevar's been making waves since her ADCC showing, and Clymer's Trials win made her a legitimate threat. This match answers the question: how does raw talent stack up against battle-hardened resilience?
This fight means more eyeballs on women's grappling. Both Crevar and Clymer have significant followings, and Crevar's got that 'it factor' that goes beyond the hardcore grappling community. Practitioners, especially at blue and purple belt level, should be analyzing this match like it's a final exam. Crevar's style is all about breaking down opponents with pressure and seamless transitions, while Clymer often wins by exploiting openings later in matches. Who's gonna dictate the pace? Can Crevar keep her aggressive game going, or will Clymer weather the storm and look for opportunities later?
ONE Championship's on a mission to globalize martial arts, and bringing in high-level female grapplers is a smart move. The winner's got a clear path to a potential ONE grappling title or cementing their status as top-tier. The real kicker is how this match highlights the stagnant matchmaking in other promotions. While they're rebooking the same old grandmasters, ONE's signing the future of the sport and making compelling matchups. This isn't about two old rivals; it's about two hungry grapplers fighting to be the next big thing.