The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced the debut of UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a revolutionary live series focused on showcasing competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, set to transform the sport’s visibility on a global scale.
Short Summary:
- UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series launches with its first event on June 25
- Featuring an eight-episode reality series, ‘Road to the Title,’ beginning June 16
- Title matches to crown inaugural champions in three weight classes: bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight
Las Vegas welcomes a fresh chapter in combat sports as the UFC has officially unveiled UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (UFC BJJ), a new live competition series committed to elevating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to a mainstream audience. Scheduled to debut on June 25, during the excitement of UFC International Fight Week, the inaugural event promises to feature three title fights aimed at crowning the first champions in bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight categories.
The event, physically showcasing the battles of elite grapplers, will be broadcast live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, enabling fans to witness the sport’s next evolution and the depth of talent within the BJJ community.
In a bid to generate enthusiasm ahead of the main event, UFC will kick off an innovative eight-episode series titled ‘UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Road to the Title’. This series launches on June 16, streaming daily at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT via UFC’s official YouTube channel. The reality series will showcase two teams comprising top-tier lightweight and welterweight competitors, creating a platform that highlights their paths to potential championship glory.
Format and Team Composition
Each team will be coached by two illustrious figures from the world of grappling: the multiple-time world champion Mikey Musumeci and the rising star Rerisson Gabriel. This unique coaching collaboration not only aims to develop individual athletes but also strategize across weight classes to secure victories.
The reality show’s structure will operate within a tournament-style bracket, narrowing down competitors to crown finalists who earn the right to compete at the inaugural UFC BJJ event, where champions will emerge within both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Key Participants
The roster brimming with talent is as follows:
Lightweight Division Competitors:
- Keith Krikorian
- Gianni Grippo
- Kyvann Gonzalez
- Carlos Henrique
- Danilo Moreira
- Mauricio Rios
- Isaac Doederlein
- Josh Cisneros
Welterweight Division Competitors:
- Andrew Tackett
- Jason Nolf
- Andy Varela
- Davis Asare
- Elijah Carlton
- Aaron Wilson
- Austin Oranday
- Nathan Haddad
As the series develops, fans can anticipate seeing these grapplers compete for their division titles, culminating in the excitement of the final matches at UFC BJJ 1.
Vision and Impact
The launch of UFC BJJ marks a significant venture into the realm of grappling for UFC, with Dana White, the UFC CEO & President, expressing his enthusiasm for this new direction:
“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.”
Furthermore, Claudia Gadelha, the Senior Director of Jiu-Jitsu Strategy & Business Development, believes that the new UFC series will be a game-changer for BJJ:
“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 UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the go-to event series for fans around the world.”
Match Structure and Regulations
UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will feature dual gender divisions with champions and rankings established for both male and female competitors. Matches will be structured to consist of three five-minute rounds utilizing the 10-point must scoring system. This structured approach aims to encourage a high-paced grappling experience, cultivated in a custom-designed competition space that promotes athlete safety while prioritizing continuous engagement.
The event’s innovative format marks a definitive shift in how grappling is presented to audiences worldwide, promising to blend the technical prowess inherent in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the accessibility and entertainment value that the UFC brand embodies.
A Bright Future for Grappling
With the establishment of UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, enthusiasts and athletes alike can expect a cultivation of talent that could reshape the competitive grappling landscape. The multifaceted approach of combining live events with a comprehensive television series showcases UFC’s commitment to not merely elevate the visibility of BJJ but transform it into a key pillar of the combat sports world.
As the inaugural event approaches, excitement continues to build among fans hungry for high-level grappling, making this an exciting time for both longtime practitioners and those discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the first time. UFC BJJ stands on the cusp of potentially defining the next era of this martial art, encouraging fresh narratives, new champions, and a broadening audience willing to witness the beauty and intensity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In conclusion, UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not just an event series; it symbolizes the confluence of traditional martial arts with modern promotional ventures, presenting an unmatched opportunity for grappling to capture the hearts and minds of a global audience.
