UFC BJJ 6: Fowler vs. Machado full card lineup and preview
UFC BJJ 6 takes place this Thursday, March 12, 2026, and features a main event title match between Mason Fowler and Pedro Machado.
The sixth installment of UFC BJJ goes down this Thursday in Las Vegas, and the event is arguably the best offering from the promotion yet. Topped by a pair of title bouts, the card also features the promotional debuts of a number of elite grapplers looking to make a statement in the organization.
Below, we take a closer look at UFC BJJ 6.
Mason Fowler vs. Pedro Machado
The main event will see reigning UFC BJJ 6 light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler put his belt on the line for the first time against experienced gi competitor Pedro Machado.
Fowler has made a name for himself competing on the UFC Fight Pass platform. After a dominant unbeaten run through Submission Underground from 2020 through 2021, the Caio Terra black belt would go on to amass an impressive 6-1 record on the now-defunct UFC Fight Pass Invitational, losing only to heavyweight juggernaut Nick Rodriguez. Throughout that run, Fowler picked up victories over the likes of Pedro Marinho, Luke Griffith, and Patrick Gaudio.
Fowler captured the inaugural UFC BJJ light heavyweight crown late last year with a submission win over David Garmo.
Standing across from him will be 25-year-old Brazilian Pedro Machado. Notably, the vast majority of Machado’s career accomplishments have come in the gi, where he is an IBJJF Worlds, Pans, Euros, and Brasileiros silver medalist. In his lone UFC BJJ appearance, he scored a submission victory against fellow gi standout Felipe Pimental.
On paper, this match is Fowler’s to lose. As a multiple-time ADCC veteran an mainstay of the elite no-gi scene, the titleholder boasts a mountain of top-level no-gi experience compared to Machado’s sparse no-gi record. Stylistically, Fowler is dangerous from all positions, whether he’s attacking from his dynamic rubber guard or looking to pass and take the back. For Machado, an upset win over Fowler would be a massive upset and would mark a major turning point in his career.
Ffion Davies vs. Cassia Moura
Before that, decorated Welsh star Ffion Davies will square off with young phenom Cassia Moura for the inaugural UFC BJJ bantamweight world title. The clash marks one of the biggest matches in grappling today.
As an ADCC champion and multiple-time IBJJF world champion in both gi and no-gi, Davies is the most accomplished European grappler ever. The 31-year-old owns victories in practically every major organization and is still considered by many to be the sport’s pound-for-pound best. She’ll come into this contest riding a winning streak that dates back to 2023 and includes wins over ADCC champions Adele Fornarino and Mackenzie Dern.
Moura, meanwhile, has blazed her way to the top of BJJ in record time. Still just 20 years old, the Brazilian was promoted from blue to black belt in under one year after winning IBJJF world titles at every belt level. And, since receiving her black belt from Bruno Bastos in June 2024, she’s already claimed a pair of IBJJF no-gi world titles – most recently moving up several weight classes to win gold at heavyweight.
Both athletes grapple at a torrid, relentlessly aggressive pace. With her background in judo, Davies is an excellent takedown artist and superb guard passer, often preferring to look for her trademark knee-cut pass from the headquarters position. And while she’s perhaps at her most dangerous when she’s applying pressure from the top position, Davies is no slouch when attacking from her back, and she may even opt to pull guard against the younger, more athletic Moura.
For her part, Moura is an explosive athlete who is among the sport’s best passers. She typically takes top position with her arm drag takedown before employing high-paced outside passing to take the back or secure side control. When she works from her guard, Moura leans heavily on her meat-and-potatoes closed guard, which has proven to be a difficult puzzle to solve.
The rest of the card at UFC BJJ 6
Lower on the card, two-time ADCC silver medalist and CJI champion Nick Rodriguez will make his UFC BJJ debut against two-time IBJJF no-gi world champion Elder Cruz. Considering that both men are talented wrestlers and dangerous guard passers, fans can expect a battle for top position on the feet in this heavyweight clash.
Also, two-time gi world champion Meyram Maquine will continue his foray into the world of no-gi with an intriguing featherweight showdown with current IBJJF no-gi world champion Marco Mendes. Maquine has looked great in no-gi action so far, boasting wins over the likes of Owen Jones and Gabriel Sousa. Mendes, meanwhile, is coming off a breakout year in 2025 after winning gold at both no-gi Worlds and Pans.
Also, ADCC veterans Ana Rodrigues and Jasmine Rocha will meet in a bantamweight bout. A multiple-time gi world champion, Rodrigues already owns a pair of wins of Rocha.
Other notable competitors at UFC BJJ 6 include former no-gi world champion Devhonte Johnson, as well as decorated veterans Joao Miyao and Manuel Ribamar.
UFC BJJ 6 full card
- Mason Fowler (c) vs. Pedro Machado (UFC BJJ light heavyweight title)
- Ffion Davies vs. Cassia Moura (UFC BJJ bantamweight title)
- Nick Rodriguez vs. Elder Cruz (heavyweight)
- Meyram Maquine vs. Marco Mendes (featherweight)
- Ana Rodrigues vs. Jasmine Rocha (bantamweight)
- Devhonte Johnson vs. Lucas Norat (heavyweight)
- Jussier Formiga vs. Joao Miyao (bantamweight)
- Manuel Ribamar vs. Caio Viniciaus (middleweight)
How to watch: UFC BJJ 6 takes place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and will air live on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel beginning at 8:00 PM ET.
