Maryse and Mike “The Miz” Mizanin aren’t your typical reality TV couple. When they returned to USA Network for Miz & Mrs Season 3, they did so while balancing parenthood and thriving careers in WWE. In a conversation with USA Insider, the pair admitted they wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything and even hinted at letting their personal and professional lives overlap even more down the road. After all, WWE is where their story began as it’s how they met, built their careers, and now provide for their two daughters. So when asked if Monroe and Madison might someday continue the “awesome” family legacy, both parents made it clear they’d be all for it.
Maryse, who once spoke about her big return to the WWE ring, shared how much she loves that her daughters get to see her juggle so many roles as a superstar, wife, and mom. She believes in setting an example by showing them the joy of pursuing a career you love. That’s why, despite the tough realities of the business, she says she’d never discourage her daughters from following the same path in sports entertainment. Adding to that, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin recently revealed a story about how UFC president Dana White personally inspired him to get his girls started in jiu-jitsu, a decision he believes will benefit them no matter where life takes them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dana White believes size doesn’t matter in BJJ
On the latest episode of Bussin’ With The Boys, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan welcomed WWE superstar and reality TV star The Miz. The conversation shifted to raising daughters, where Miz explained how he teaches his girls the basics of wrestling. “I always teach them the first thing… how to lock up,” he said, adding that he even shows them how to apply a choke so they can defend themselves without throwing punches.
Taylor Lewan then asked if Miz had put his daughters into martial arts training. That’s when Miz recalled hearing Dana White on a podcast. According to Miz, White mentioned that “a little girl can take down a 300-pound man” with the right technique. And that was enough for Miz to decide his daughters should learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What many readers might not know is how this personal story ties in perfectly with UFC’s broader strategy. Miz explained that it wasn’t about fighting for fun, it was about giving his girls skills and confidence. “If they have the right technique… they can do it,” he said, stressing that he wanted his daughters to be able to take care of themselves. For him, the biggest benefit is the confidence they’ll build knowing they can protect themselves.
Interestingly, Dana White didn’t directly persuade Miz, but the timing lined up with a major UFC push for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Just three months earlier, the promotion launched UFC BJJ 1, its first-ever grappling showcase, during International Fight Week. Far from a side attraction, the event drew 2.5 million views across platforms, proving the UFC is serious about growing BJJ worldwide.
The event also introduced UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, a reality series modeled after The Ultimate Fighter, aiming to spotlight rising grapplers. But it was UFC BJJ 1 that stole the show, headlined by Mikey Musumeci submitting Rerisson Gabriel to become the UFC’s inaugural bantamweight BJJ champion.
Mighty Mouse backs Dana White’s mission to elevate UFC BJJ
With this event, Dana White and the UFC expanded their footprint in the grappling world. While the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, a darker, niche series comparable to the Craig Jones Invitational, had already introduced fans to elite submission action, this new venture aims much higher. Designed to rival long-standing institutions like IBJJF and ADCC, the UFC’s BJJ expansion embraces a more open-tournament model and a broader platform backed by one of the biggest names in combat sports.
This evolution marks a major turning point for aspiring grapplers, offering them unprecedented visibility and a direct path to mainstream audiences, a shift even long-time UFC critics like Demetrious Johnson have applauded. Speaking with Mikey Musumeci on YouTube, Johnson emphasized the impact: “Exactly. But to get back on track with the UFC getting into BJJ—it gives the opportunity, on that platform… I was watching on YouTube, and it’s given the opportunity to show the everyday person who watches it, like… It’s crazy. So you get 2.5 million people exposed to it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The flyweight great went on to explain how Dana White and the UFC’s massive reach have reshaped how casual fans engage with BJJ, not just through competition but also through storytelling and behind-the-scenes access. “That’s one thing I love about them getting behind it, because the platform is just massive. It’s insane. It’s absolutely massive. And you have the everyday casual who isn’t introduced to BJJ…”
And in case you missed, Dana White and the UFC have already announced new seasons, with two more UFC BJJ events scheduled for the rest of 2025. The last event took place on July 31 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where Andrew Tackett defeated Renato Canuto in the main event. The next will be held around October 2, headlined by Mikey Musumeci vs. Keven Carrasco, followed by the season finale on December 11. That said, what do you think of Dana White’s new business in BJJ? Can UFC BJJ become as popular and influential as MMA did with Dana White and his team?