In a move that signals far more than just a name change, the UFC has officially pulled the trigger on its grand vision for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. With UFC President Dana White vowing to inject $10–12 million into the sport, what was once a modest series of grappling showcases is now emerging as a full-fledged promotional machine under the new “UFC BJJ” brand.
At the center of it all? A familiar face: Mikey Musumeci, the UFC’s first signed grappler, is now positioned as the face of the movement and headlining the inaugural UFC BJJ 1 card.
From Invitational to Institution
For the past four years, UFC’s “Fight Pass Invitational” (FPI) has quietly gained steam in the grappling world. Its recent card, UFC FPI 11, featured top-tier female competitors like Ffion Davies and Adele Fornarino, but that era is now officially closed.
Enter UFC BJJ — a bold, reimagined venture launching as part of UFC International Fight Week on June 25, 2025. But this isn’t just FPI with a new logo. The transformation is more than cosmetic.
A Pit with Purpose
One of the standout innovations? A brand-new fighting surface modeled after the Craig Jones Invitational and Karate Combat — a pit with curved walls designed to encourage action and eliminate boring resets. This structural tweak alone may prove pivotal, helping grappling maintain the intensity and pace often lost in traditional jiu-jitsu tournaments.
Reality TV Meets Rolling: “UFC BJJ: Road to the Title”
In parallel, UFC’s long-rumored TUF-style reality show is finally a reality. Titled UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, the series premiered June 17 on YouTube, with daily episodes building hype ahead of the big June 25 showdown. Musumeci and Gabriel will coach eight lightweights and eight welterweights, including a cast packed with elite talent.
The two finalists in each division will fight for inaugural UFC BJJ belts, joining the Musumeci-Gabriel title match to form a stacked championship triple-header.
Nasty Injury In Episode 3
The move by the UFC is great for the sport, but it shows how dangerous BJJ can be.
In the third episode, Davis Asare locked up a nasty foot lock, and Austin Oranday could not escape and did not tap fast enough.
So far, the matches have been pretty fast-paced, but the show doesn’t quite have the edge TUF does.
