UFC BJJ is now officially launched. The world`s premier fighting organization announced on Friday the debut of their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu promotion, revealing details about its first event and an accompanying reality show.
The inaugural event, titled “UFC BJJ 1,” is scheduled to take place on June 25. This event is part of the UFC’s annual International Fight Week celebrations and will precede the highly anticipated UFC 317 pay-per-view card, which features Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira competing for the vacant lightweight title. UFC BJJ 1 will be a landmark event, crowning the first champions in the bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions. While most participants for these title bouts are yet to be announced, it has been confirmed that multiple-time world champion Mikey Musumeci and rising star Rerisson Gabriel will face off for the 135-pound (bantamweight) championship at the event.
Following the event announcement, the promotion is also launching a reality show called “UFC BJJ: Road to the Title,” structured similarly to “The Ultimate Fighter.” Mikey Musumeci and Rerisson Gabriel will serve as coaches for the eight-episode season. The show is set to premiere daily, starting June 12 at 12 PM ET, and will be available for viewing on the official UFC YouTube channel.
“I first got into MMA through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” said UFC CEO Dana White in a release. “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.”
Road to the Title Athletes Announced
Welterweight Division
- Andrew Tackett
- Jason Nolf
- Andy Varela
- Davis Asare
- Elijah Carlton
- Aaron Wilson
- Austin Oranday
- Nathan Haddad
Lightweight Division
- Keith Krikorian
- Gianni Grippo
- Kyvann Gonzalez
- Carlos Henrique
- Danilo Moreira
- Mauricio Rios
- Isaac Doederlein
- Josh Cisneros
