UFC BJJ: What Launched, Who Won, and Why It Matters
The UFC has transformed its invitational grappling showcases into a full professional circuit, called UFC BJJ, which debuts during International Fight Week on June 25, 2025. The launch formalized three opening weight classes—135, 155, and 170 lb—with championship belts, a free reality series on YouTube, and a new pit-style arena nicknamed “The Bowl.” (UFC)
What’s new under the UFC banner
- A league format, not one-off superfights. UFC BJJ now builds storylines across events, anchored by a TUF-style reality show, Road to the Title, that seeded the lightweight and welterweight brackets. Episodes premiered June 16 on YouTube and continue as a playlist with match highlights. (YouTube)
- Codified rules and judging. Bouts use three five-minute rounds scored by the 10-Point Must system, with referees empowered to penalize stalling—moving pro grappling closer to a TV-friendly format while keeping submission finishes front and center. (UFC)
- The Bowl arena. A sunken, curved-wall enclosure keeps athletes engaged and discourages edge stalling. The design drew immediate comparison to Karate Combat’s pit and sparked debate, but the goal is clear: more action, less reset. (Jitsmagazine.com, BJJDOC)
UFC BJJ 1 — Results from June 25, 2025 (UFC APEX, Las Vegas)
- Bantamweight Championship (135 lb): Mikey Musumeci def. Rerisson Gabriel — Heel hook, R3
- Welterweight Championship (170 lb): Andrew Tackett def. Andy Varela — Rear-naked choke, R1
- Lightweight Championship (155 lb): Carlos Henrique def. Danilo Moreira — Armbar, R3
Notable undercard: Bella Mir scored a D’Arce choke; Pedro Machado and Keven Carrasco won by triangle; Cassia Moura beat Talita Alencar by decision. (MMA Fighting)
Takeaway: The inaugural card balanced star power (Musumeci) with fresh finalists from the show, and finished with three subs in three title fights—exactly the statement a launch event needed. (MMA Fighting)
UFC BJJ 2 — Results from July 31, 2025
- Welterweight Title: Andrew Tackett def. Renato Canuto — D’Arce choke, R1 (first title defense)
- Light Heavyweight Title (new division): Mason Fowler def. David Garmo — Rear-naked choke, R1
Plus wins for William Tackett, Raquel Canuto, Kennedy Maciel, Aurelie Le Vern, Tammi Musumeci, and Jalen Fonacier. (MMA Fighting)
Champions as of August 2025:
- 135: Mikey Musumeci
- 155: Carlos Henrique
- 170: Andrew Tackett (1 defense)
- 205: Mason Fowler (newly introduced at UFC BJJ 2) (MMA Fighting)
Why UFC BJJ is a big deal for grappling
- Structure and visibility. A consistent calendar, TV-ready pacing, and UFC production values put elite BJJ in front of casual fight fans and give athletes a clear path to titles and bigger purses. (UFC)
- Story-driven matchmaking. The Road to the Title series builds context for finals and introduces personalities, much like TUF did for MMA’s boom years. (YouTube)
- Action-first environment. The Bowl, plus stalling penalties, nudges matches toward attacking sequences and clean finishes. (UFC, Jitsmagazine.com)
What to watch next
- Rule nuance and judging trends. With rounds and 10-Point Must scoring, expect more strategy around late-round surges and ride-time style control vs. near-sub attempts. (UFC)
- Division expansion. The quick addition of light heavyweight shows the league is willing to scale beyond the original three classes. (MMA Fighting)
- Crossover names. Keep an eye on MMA pros and high-profile grapplers dropping in, and on rising talents introduced on the reality show. (YouTube)
Where to watch
All live events stream on UFC Fight Pass, with Road to the Title episodes free on YouTube and regional UFC channels. (UFC, YouTube)
Key sources: UFC announcement and rules, event results, and series playlist. (UFC, MMA Fighting, YouTube)
Suggested Reading For You
- Athlete blueprint for pressure and finishes: Gordon Ryan
- Learn the various ways to get better at BJJ, check out our deep dive into Three Ways to Learn BJJ.
- Want to sharpen your technique? Please read our guide to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Videos before tuning in.
- If you are in search of a Jiu-Jitsu gym, check out our BJJ Near Me list.
