The UFC just made its full-scale entrance into sport jiu-jitsu with UFC BJJ, a 100 % grappling offshoot with zero strikes. The first show — UFC BJJ 1: Musumeci vs Gabriel — streamed free on YouTube and UFC Fight Pass on 25 June during International Fight Week and crowned three world champions. Below: how the league works, rule tweaks, and every result from a historic night in Las Vegas.
🔍 What Is UFC BJJ?
| Key Point | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 3 × 5-minute rounds • no IBJJF scoring. 10-Point-Must like MMA, plus a ½-point bonus for genuine submission attempts. | mmamania.com |
| Arena | “UFC BJJ Bowl” — a round, open mat with no cage walls. | mmamania.com |
| Broadcast | Free on YouTube + included in UFC Fight Pass subscriptions. | YouTube.com |
| Mission | Mainstream the art for MMA fans, build a ranking system and official world titles. | sportsbusinessjournal.com |
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed quarterly events and a TUF-style reality show in 2026. | talksport.com
🏆 Results — UFC BJJ 1 (25 Jun 2025 • UFC Apex)
| New Division | Inaugural Champion | Finish & Time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam (135 lb) | Mikey Musumeci | Heel Hook — R3 1:12 | flograppling.com • jitsmagazine.com |
| Welter (170 lb) | Andrew Tackett | Arm-in RNC — R1 2:44 | bjjdoc.com • jitsmagazine.com |
| Light (155 lb) | Carlos Henrique | Armbar — R3 3:09 | bjjdoc.com • mmamania.com |
Submission of the Night (US $25 k): Musumeci (heel hook) & Henrique (armbar) — x.com
Other Matches
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Keith Krikorian tapped João Assonitis (RNC, R2). | jitsmagazine.com
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Exhibition Super-fight: Mason Fowler dec. Nicky Ryan (29-28). | bjjheroes.com
🌟 Moments That Stole the Show
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Showman Musumeci — after the heel hook, the American called for a Gordon Ryan superfight, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
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Tackett in 140 seconds — the 20-year-old Texan grabbed welter gold and called out Renato Canudo on the mic. | bjjdoc.com
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Armbar master-class — Henrique broke down his “staple-pass” setup live; the clip went viral on X. | ufc.com
🤔 Why This Matters (For BJJ and the UFC)
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Strategic moat – The promotion expands its combat-sports monopoly, pulling grappling fans into the UFC ecosystem. | sportsbusinessjournal.com
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Massive viewership – The free stream peaked at 1.3 M concurrent viewers, an all-time high for a pure-BJJ event. | ufc.com
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Celebrity gateway – White has already invited Mark Zuckerberg, Mario Lopez and Tom Hardy for future editions. | talksport.com
🔮 What’s Next?
| Date | Event | Top Rumor |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 2025 | UFC BJJ 2 | Musumeci vs Tye Ruotolo superfight |
| Q4 2025 | “Road to UFC BJJ” | 16 black-belts battle for UFC contracts |
| IFW 2026 | UFC BJJ Champions Cup | All champs defend in a hybrid Grappling + MMA card |