Since its launch in 2025, UFC BJJ has reshaped the landscape of submission grappling with six exceptional athletes crowned as the UFC BJJ inaugural champions. These competitors have established themselves as the top performers in this evolving sport, each carrying the organization’s legacy forward as the anticipation builds toward the first UFC BJJ event of 2026.
Profiles of the Inaugural Championship Holders
Bantamweight Titleholder: Mikey Musumeci’s Rise to Dominance
Mikey Musumeci emerged as the face of UFC BJJ’s bantamweight division. He first captured widespread attention coaching against Rerisson Gabriel on the series UFC BJJ: Road To The Title, which mirrors the competitive format of The Ultimate Fighter. Their showdown at UFC BJJ 1 decided the first-ever bantamweight belt, where Musumeci, known as “Darth Rigatoni,” applied relentless pressure before securing victory with a heel hook in the third round.
Musumeci successfully defended his championship by defeating Keven Carrasco via first-round heel hook. Looking ahead, he is scheduled to defend his title against the Scottish contender Shay Montague in the UFC BJJ 5 main event on February 12, aiming to reinforce his supremacy at 135 pounds.
Women’s Featherweight Champion: Aurelie Le Vern’s European Breakthrough
Aurelie Le Vern made history by becoming UFC BJJ’s first women’s featherweight champion and the first female European titleholder in the organization. Representing French Guiana, Le Vern’s rapid first-round submission of Raquel Canuto at UFC BJJ 4 earned her the 145-pound crown. Her earlier performance at UFC BJJ 2, where she submitted Maggie Grindatti Lira with an Americana in under 80 seconds, set the stage for her rise.
Le Vern faced Canuto, a popular fighter with a strong hometown presence in Las Vegas, in a highly anticipated clash. Despite the crowd’s support for Canuto, Le Vern prevailed decisively, securing the title with a first-round Kimura. This victory solidified her status as a rising star in women’s grappling.
Lightweight Champion: Carlos Henrique’s Path to the Crown
Carlos Henrique became the first UFC BJJ lightweight champion by triumphing in the sport’s inaugural UFC BJJ title match. His journey through the UFC BJJ: Road To The Title tournament included submitting Gianni Grippo with a second-round anaconda choke and finishing Isaac Doederlein similarly in the second round. These wins propelled him into the title fight, where he defeated Danilo Moreira with an armbar finish in the third round last June.
Henrique, often referred to as “CH7,” has kept his championship intact by winning a unanimous decision over Matheus Gabriel at UFC BJJ 3. Fans anticipate his return later this year as he aims to add more successful defenses to his record.
Welterweight Champion: Andrew Tackett’s Swift Ascent
At just 22 years old, Andrew Tackett has rapidly become a prominent figure in UFC BJJ’s welterweight division. The Austin, Texas native dominated the UFC BJJ: Road To The Title welterweight bracket with consecutive first-round rear-naked choke submissions against Aaron Wilson and Jason Nolf, earning a spot in the final against Andy Varela.
Tackett’s dominance continued in the tournament final, where he defeated the aggressive Varela in under three minutes, again with a rear-naked choke. Following his championship win, Tackett remained active, defending his title only a month later at UFC BJJ 2 by submitting Renato Canuto with a D’Arce choke. He further cemented his position in December with a first-round heel-hook victory over Elijah Dorsey in his second title defense.
Middleweight Champion: Ronaldo Souza Junior’s Commanding Presence
Brazilian grappler Ronaldo Souza Junior weighed in at 185 pounds to claim the UFC BJJ middleweight title at UFC BJJ 4. As an IBJJF No-Gi world champion, he showcased his dominance against William Tackett over three rounds to capture the belt. This marked Ronaldo’s first competition at the UFC BJJ Bowl and fans can expect to see him back soon.
Ronaldo is scheduled to defend his middleweight title in the co-main event at UFC BJJ 5 on February 12, where he will face Norway’s Tarik Hopstock, also an IBJJF No-Gi world champion. This matchup is one of the most anticipated contests in the organization’s history, promising a high-level contest between two elite competitors.
Light Heavyweight Champion: Mason Fowler’s Instant Impact
The seasoned submission grappler Mason Fowler claimed the UFC BJJ light heavyweight title in his promotional debut at UFC BJJ 2. He swiftly moved behind his opponent David Garmo and locked in a rear-naked choke to finish the bout in less than a round.
After his victory, Fowler expressed the significance of winning the title during his post-match interview. He aims to defend his championship for the first time upon his return to the UFC BJJ Bowl in 2026, attempting to add to his extensive grappling achievements.
UFC BJJ Championship: What Lies Ahead
The emergence of these six inaugural champions highlights the rapid evolution and growing stature of UFC BJJ as a premier platform for submission grappling worldwide. Their victories represent not only personal achievements but also the organization’s commitment to showcasing top-tier grappling talent. As UFC BJJ prepares for upcoming events in 2026, fans and competitors alike await intense title defenses and fresh rivalries that will define the next chapter in this dynamic sport.
With compelling matchups like Mikey Musumeci vs. Shay Montague and Ronaldo Souza Junior vs. Tarik Hopstock on the horizon, UFC BJJ continues to build momentum, promising a year of thrilling competition and showcasing some of the finest grapplers on a global stage.
