The UFC BJJ spotlight returns to Las Vegas with an electrifying night of submission grappling action as UFC BJJ 9: Fowler vs. Johnson takes center stage on Thursday, June 4. Featuring a stacked lineup of elite competitors and rising stars, the event will be headlined by a high-stakes light heavyweight championship bout between reigning champion Mason Fowler and challenger Devhonte Johnson.
Fans can catch all the action live and free on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, bringing world-class grappling directly to audiences worldwide.
Main Event: Fowler Defends Against Hungry Challenger
At the top of the card, champion Mason Fowler puts his title on the line against the surging Devhonte Johnson in a matchup that blends proven dominance with rising ambition.
Fowler, who has already established himself as one of the division’s most complete competitors, seeks his second successful title defense. Known for his diverse submission arsenal and composure under pressure, he has delivered key victories over opponents such as Pedro Machado, David Garmo, and Christiano Troisi. With a previous win over Johnson on his résumé, Fowler aims to further cement his legacy as the king of the light heavyweight division. [bjjee.com]
Johnson, however, enters the bout with momentum and unfinished business. The New Jersey native made an impactful debut victory and now drops to 205 pounds to challenge for gold. A former IBJJF No-Gi world champion, Johnson is determined to prove he belongs among the elite—and avenge his earlier loss to Fowler in the process. [bjjee.com]
Co-Main Event: Gilbert Burns Returns to Grappling
The co-main event features a highly anticipated return to grappling competition for former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, who faces Horlando Monteiro in a compelling middleweight matchup.
Burns, a decorated jiu-jitsu world champion prior to his MMA career, has long been recognized as one of the most dangerous submission artists in combat sports. With wins over elite names such as Kron Gracie and Leandro Lo, he now looks to reestablish himself on the mats and make an immediate impact in the UFC BJJ ranks. [sports.yahoo.com]
Standing across from him is Monteiro, a highly respected grappler and multiple-time world champion in major competitions. In his promotional debut, Monteiro will be chasing a career-defining victory by defeating one of the sport’s most recognizable figures. [bjjproblems.com]
Heavyweight Clash and Stacked Undercard
The action doesn’t stop there. A must-see heavyweight showdown will feature submission powerhouse Nick Rodriguez taking on Joao Nicolite, a matchup expected to deliver explosive exchanges.
The undercard boasts a deep slate of talent across multiple divisions:
- Ffion Davies vs. Amanda Bruse (Women’s Bantamweight)
- Bella Mir vs. Nichelle Johnson (Women’s Featherweight)
- Achilles Rocha vs. Filipe Pimentel (Light Heavyweight)
- Raphael Ferreira vs. John Chandler (Featherweight)
- Victor Delibero vs. Mourece Ramirez (Bantamweight)
- Ana Lima vs. Amanda Mazza (Women’s Strawweight)
The event also highlights emerging prospects like Bella Mir, who remains undefeated and continues to build momentum as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. [sports.yahoo.com]
Event Details
- Event: UFC BJJ 9: Fowler vs. Johnson
- Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada (Meta APEX) [axs.com]
- Watch: Live and free on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel
- Tickets: Available now via AXS
A Growing Platform for Grappling
UFC BJJ continues to expand its reach, blending elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu with a mainstream presentation format. Events like UFC BJJ 9 not only showcase the world’s best grapplers but also introduce new audiences to the sport’s technical depth and excitement.
With a championship main event, a star-studded co-main, and a lineup full of rising contenders and seasoned veterans, UFC BJJ 9 promises to deliver a night of high-level grappling that fans won’t want to miss.
