UFC has relaunched their grappling promotion, and “UFC BJJ” kicks off with an Ultimate Fighter-style reality show and tournament to determine two inaugural title bouts.
“UFC BJJ: Road to the Title” will host two eight-man tournaments at lightweight and welterweight, with the TUF-style reality show releasing episodes that air daily from June 16 – June 23, 2025. This will lead up to the “UFC BJJ 1” event on June 25, which will then host the finals that will be for two of the three inaugural championship bouts on the card.
Full episodes can be watched and streamed for free here, and below are the official results and updates from the tournament.
UFC BJJ: Team Musumeci vs. Team Gabriel Rosters
The first episode of UFC BJJ: Road to the Title determined the team rosters. Both coaches made their picks, and Rerisson Gabriel ended up choosing far more accomplished grappling champions than Mikey Musumeci.
Even with the UFC’s own tournament seeding, Gabriel was able to pick both the top 2 seeds from both divisions. The biggest names and early tournament favorites in Andrew Tackett, Andy Varela, Keith Krikorian, Josh Cisneros and Gianni Grippo all went to Team Gabriel.
The BJJ prospect to watch on Mikey Musumeci’s team is Jason Nolf, a decorated wrestling champion who recently transitioned to professional grappling.
Team Gabriel
Lightweights
- #1 Keith Krikorian — Polaris champ
- #2 Josh Cisneros — 2024 ADCC Bronze
- #5 Gianni Grippo — 2-time IBJJF No Gi World Champion
- #6 Mauricio Rios
Welterweights
- #1 Andrew Tackett — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner
- #2 Andy Varela — PGF Champion
- #4 Elijah Carlton
- #6 Austin Oranday
Team Musumeci
Lightweights
- #3 Danilo Moreira — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds Bronze
- #4 Carlos Henrique — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Pans Champion
- #7 Kyvann Gonzalez
- #8 Isaac Doederlein — 2022 IBJJF World Champion
Welterweights
- #3 Davis Asare — 2024 ADCC Trials Silver
- #5 Jason Nolf — 2-time US National Wrestling Champion
- #7 Nathan Haddad
- #8 Aaron Wilson
UFC BJJ: Road to the Title tournament brackets
The brackets for both the lightweight and welterweight tournaments at UFC BJJ: Road to the Title are below. These grapplers will have to win twice during the reality show to earn a title shot, with the finals happening at UFC BJJ 1.
UFC BJJ: Road to the Title full results
Full episodes of UFC BJJ: Road to the title can be watched here, but below are quick results and highlights from the tournament.
Episode 1:
One of the tournament favorites in Andrew Tackett dominated in the first round. The CJI 1 star got a takedown by the “bowl” straight into mount, then immediately took the back for a a really quick finish over Aaron Wilson.
Welterweight: Andrew Tackett (Team Gabriel) def. Aaron Wilson (Team Musumeci) by submission (rear naked choke), R1 1:09
Episode 2:
Keith Krikorian got the only deep submission attempt in the match, locking up a darce choke that had Doedrlein saved by the bell at the second round. Unfortunately for him, the round-by-round scoring had him losing a close decision after Doederlein was awarded the other two close rounds. There’s a case for Krikorian deserving a 10-8 for that fully locked in darce up until the final bell, but judges didn’t do that and Doederlein has upset the Polaris champ and #1 seed.
Lightweight: Isaac Doederlein (Team Musumeci) def. Keith Krikorian (Team Gabriel) by decision
Episode 3:
Davis Asare, a purple belt under New Wave / Kingsway, quickly landed a brutal foot lock that had Austin Oranday scream in pain for a verbal tap. He was on crutches after and it seems like his foot was broken from the nasty sub.
With the quick finish, Episode 3 didn’t even last 20 mins. I’m not complaining though, since short episodes focused on the matches are better than usual TUF shenanigans and filler.
Welterweight: Davis Asare (Team Musumeci) def. Austin Oranday (Team Gabriel) by submission (foot lock), R1 1:04
Episode 4:
After a back and forth opening round, Carlos Henrique was able to pass to north south and lock up a slick anaconda choke in the second round. He beat two-time IBJJF world champ Gianni Grippo to advance to the semis.
Lightweight: Carlos Henrique (Team Musumeci) def. Gianni Grippo (Team Gabriel) by submission (anaconda choke), R2
Episode 5:
Two bouts happened on this episode. Decorated wrestler Jason Nolf has been training at New Wave / Kingsway with Gordon Ryan and John Danaher to improve, but his inexperience in jiu-jitsu still showed. He didn’t really engage much, and had to defend a couple of submission attempts on the rare times that he did, leading to a decision win from Elijah Carlton.
Filipino-American ADCC medalist and #2 ranked Josh Cisneros got sick while cutting weight, and had to pull out. Replacing him on short notice is 2-0 MMA fighter Cobey Fehr, but Kyvann Gonzalez just quickly submitted him with a modified toe hold.
Welterweight: Elijah Carlton (Team Gabriel) def. Jason Nolf (Team Musumeci) by split decision
Lightweight: Kyvann Gonzalez (Team Musumeci) def. Cobey Fehr (Team Gabriel) by submission (modified toe hold), R1
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