By Penny Buffington | MMA Fight Coverage
Las Vegas – The UFC is expanding its combat sports empire with the official launch of UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU®, a first-of-its-kind live event series poised to become the world’s premier stage for elite-level grappling competition.
The inaugural live event, UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU 1, is set to take place on Wednesday, June 25, during UFC International Fight Week, and will feature three title bouts to crown the first-ever champions in the bantamweight (135 lbs.), lightweight (155 lbs.), and welterweight (170 lbs.) divisions. Fans can catch the event live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass®.
A New Chapter Begins: Road to the Title
Ahead of the first event, fans can dive into the grappling world with UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU: Road to the Title, an eight-episode docu-series that premieres Monday, June 16. The series will stream daily at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT for free on UFC’s official YouTube channel.
The series introduces two elite teams competing in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. Each team will be led by one of the sport’s most compelling figures—multiple-time world champion Mikey Musumeci and rising BJJ star Rerisson Gabriel. The tournament-style bracket will determine the finalists who will battle for gold at UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU 1.
Title Match Highlights
The main event of UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 1 will feature a bantamweight title bout between coaching rivals Mikey Musumeci and Rerisson Gabriel, promising a high-stakes showdown between technical excellence and raw intensity.
Lightweight Competitors:
- Keith Krikorian
- Gianni Grippo
- Kyvann Gonzalez
- Carlos Henrique
- Danilo Moreira
- Mauricio Rios
- Isaac Doederlein
- Josh Cisneros
Welterweight Competitors:
- Andrew Tackett
- Jason Nolf
- Andy Varela
- Davis Asare
- Elijah Carlton
- Aaron Wilson
- Austin Oranday
- Nathan Haddad
These world-class grapplers bring a mix of championship pedigrees, submission wizardry, and relentless drive to the competition mat—setting the stage for an electrifying tournament.
Redefining Competitive Jiu-Jitsu
UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu events will adopt a three-round format, with each round lasting five minutes and judged using the 10-point must system, aligning the sport more closely with MMA’s fan-friendly structure. Matches will take place in a custom-built competition space designed to encourage continuous action while safeguarding athlete health.
UFC CEO & President Dana White shared his excitement:
“I first got into MMA through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s one of the true building blocks of martial arts and the athletes and the competition take it to another level. The reality show and live events are going to elevate this to a mainstream sport and I could not be more excited.”
Claudia Gadelha, UFC’s Senior Director of Jiu-Jitsu Strategy & Business Development, added:
“I am so excited for people to see what we are going to do with UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. I believe that our ruleset, athletes, and promotional power will make it the go-to event series for fans around the world.”
Looking Ahead
The UFC plans to expand its Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu division further, offering multiple weight classes for both male and female athletes, and establishing a full ranking system for competitors.
With the launch of UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, the UFC is once again pushing boundaries, offering fans a front-row seat to the evolution of grappling as a spectator sport. Whether you’re a longtime BJJ enthusiast or a curious fight fan, June promises to deliver action, drama, and world-class technique in its purest form.
Stay tuned to MMA Fight Coverage for all the latest news, fight recaps, and exclusive interviews.
