Wildcard Amanda Bruse likes fresh matchups at FURY Professional Grappling 13: 'Expect some really exciting matches'

Bruse has yet to face any of her potential opponents in single-night, four-woman tournament, but plans on taking home the $5,000 prize.

With some recent history existing between three of the four women involved in FURY Professional Grappling's upcoming single-night, 125-pound tournament, Amanda Bruse serves as a bit of wild card in the chase for $5,000.

Making her way to New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City from the West Coast, Bruse certainly touts a high-level grappling resume, but she has yet to share the mat with fellow FURY Professional Grappling 13 tournament entrants Trinity Pun, Taylor Hishaw and Cindy Ung.

Bruse first encountered jiu-jitsu at 5 years old. Though her experience was short-lived, she would later in life fall in love with powerlifting. At 16, Bruse rediscovered grappling and shortly after relocated to San Diego, where she found her current grappling home at Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ.

Now at 24, Bruse has earned her black belt under grappling legend Andre Galvao and graduated from the University of San Diego with a bachelor of science in clinical psychology.

Still with Atos to this day, Bruse carries a clear sense of pride for her team.

"When I moved to Atos, the first year I trained, I won purple belt Worlds," Bruse said. "My success has been a result of the gym I am at. I've been surrounded by world champions telling me that I can do this. They push me. They push me to be a better competitor.

"It's important for me to be in the mix of people doing the things you want to achieve. At Atos, I get to train with super high-level girls, where I learn much more. It was always a dream for me to go train at Atos."

Bruse was notably impressed her first time through the gym doors with how supportive teammates were. For a young 18-year old embarking on a journey, Bruse took comfort with her surroundings. Through her training, Bruse found that her love for jiu-jitsu grew every day.

"I walked in the door and everyone was super kind," Bruse said. "Everyone has been super supportive. It's very cathartic to train jiu-jitsu. People talk about runner's high, but jiu-jitsu is like that times 100.

"I love learning. I love solving puzzles. I love figuring things out. I'm pretty nerdy. This is kind of a violent sport, but it's super technical. You can see some of the people at the highest level are dorky, and for me that was a perfect combination."

With jiu-jitsu being such a good fit, Bruse has managed to carve out a pretty impressive resume to this point, including a first-place finish in the IBJJF No-Gi Pan-American Championship in 2024, as well as the No-Gi brown belt Championship in 2022, and purple belt Championship in 2020.

Now, she will turn her attention to FURY Professional Grappling 13, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

Though having never competed against any of her three potential opponents, Bruse certainly did her homework on the competition and developed a respect for their unique fighting styles.

"They're all amazing competitors," Bruse said, "It'll be all fresh matchups for me on the card, so it's really exciting. I've actually known Trinity since I started. We were on the same circuit in New York. I saw her training as a kid. Cindy's a beast. I saw her on FIGHT PASS. Taylor's been coming up pretty fast.

"I think everyone can expect us to go out there and push the pace and everyone to go for submissions and expect some really exciting matches."

Though respectful of her competition, Bruse remains confident she can score two wins on the night and walk away $5,000 richer. Similarly to her opponents, Bruse is also excited to get out in front of fans and showcase her deep skillset.

Bruse believes that due to her high-level pedigree, she will have the edge against her foes. Motivated to represent Atos Jiu-Jitsu, Bruse plans on taking full advantage of the opportunity that's in front of her.

"I think the experience I have will help me," Bruse said. "I think as far as rule sets go, that I have a lot of experience with all different kinds of rule sets. That experience is just going to help you. Being more of a veteran, it's going to give me more of an edge."

"One of my goals this year was to get into more big events, so I'm really happy I was selected to compete. It's a women's event that's at the forefront of the entire thing. That's really exciting for me. It's something that even recently hasn't been a thing. I'm really appreciative of that."

ARTICLE BY: SETH FASSANO