UFC BJJ 1 results: Musumeci, Tackett, and Henrique crowned inaugural champs
View results and highlights from UFC BJJ 1, which saw Mikey Musumeci claim the inaugural bantamweight crown in the main event.
The first-ever UFC BJJ event took place on Wednesday, June 25, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the event saw a trio of inaugural UFC BJJ champions crowned.
Musumeci heel hooks Gabriel
In the main event of UFC BJJ 1, decorated American standout Mikey Musumeci performed as many expected, dominating Brazil’s Rerisson Gabriel en route to a third-round submission victory.
Musumeci spent the vast majority of the match attacking Gabriel’s legs and consistently found himself close to the submission finish. Gabriel’s leg lock defense held up through the bout’s first two rounds, occasionally forcing Musumeci to briefly take top position before he would again drop back for a leg entanglement.
The finish came in the third round when Musumeci latched onto a deep outside heel hook. Gabriel rolled multiple times to defend, but this only gave Musumeci the opportunity to adjust his grip and, ultimately, secure the tap.
With the win, the New Jersey native extends his winning streak that dates back to 2021 and is now the UFC BJJ bantamweight champion.
Tackett breezes through Varela
Before that, ADCC Trials winner and CJI veteran Andrew Tackett made quick work of former foe Andy Varela to claim the inaugural UFC BJJ welterweight title.
Per usual, Tackett came out aggressive from the opening bell. After just a couple of quick exchanges on the feet, he secured a clean takedown before passing Varela’s guard, taking his back, and sinking in a clean arm-in choke from the back for the first-round finish.
After the match, Tackett went nose-to-nose with former IBJJF world champion and multiple-time UFC Fight Pass Invitational veteran Renato Canuto in an impromptu face-off that could have set the stage for Tackett’s first title defense.
Henrique Taps Moreira
In lightweight action, Carlos Henrique scored a hard-fought, third-round submission victory over Danilo Moreira to capture UFC BJJ gold.
Much of the bout’s first two rounds were spent with Moreira attacking from his guard while Henrique looked to pass. And while Moreira displayed excellent flexibility and solid guard retention, it was Henrique who had the more effective offensive output.
Henrique found the finish in the third frame, as Moreira began to open up a bit more in search of the submission. During a scramble, Henrique locked up an armbar with Moreira’s leg trapped to secure the tap and become the UFC BJJ lightweight champion.
The rest of the card at UFC BJJ 1
Lower on the card, 10th Planet black belt Keith Krikorian impressed with a second-round rear-naked choke victory over Joao Assonitis. Krikorian battled through some adversity in the first round, as he found himself stuck in the saddle position, defending his legs for much of the frame.
The American came out aggressively in the second, though. Krikorian landed a clean takedown before jumping into a guard pass that ultimately landed him on his opponent’s back. From there, Krikorian was able to sink in the match-ending rear-naked choke.
With the victory, Krikorian may have positioned himself as the top contender for the newly crowned champion, Henrique.
Also, 19-year-old phenom Cassia Moura scored an utterly dominant decision victory over decorated veteran Talita Alencar. Moura displayed superb takedown skills, relentless guard passing, and numerous close submission attempts on her way to one of the most impressive wins of her still-young career.
Check out the full results from UFC BJJ 1 below.
UFC BJJ 1 results
- Mikey Musumeci def. Rerisson Gabriel via submission (heel hook) (UFC BJJ bantamweight world title)
- Andrew Tackett def. Andy Varela via submission (arm-in choke from the back) (UFC BJJ welterweight world title)
- Carlos Henrique def. Danilo Moreira via submission (armbar) (UFC BJJ lightweight world title)
- Keith Krikorian def. Joao Assonitis via submission (rear-naked choke)
- Cassia Moura def. Talita Alencar via unanimous decision
- Pedro Machado def. Filipe Pimental via submission (triangle choke)
- Bella Mir def. Carol Joia via submission (D’arce choke)
- Keven Carrasco def. Ty Costlow via submission (triangle choke).
Watch a full replay of the event for free on the UFC YouTube channel.
