UFC BJJ Launching During IFW
The UFC was founded by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and they’re now fully invested in the sports growth.
The Early days of UFC brought Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to forefront of the martial arts world. The exposure helped Gracie Jiu Jitsu expand around the world.
The art form that laid the foundation for the UFC will now be promoted by the organization. The UFC had dipped a toe into grappling over the last few years with the Fight Pass Invitational and obviously found the temperature to be of their liking.
The recent success of the Craig Jones Invitational, The IBJJF, & ADCC also provided strong indications that grappling can do well on a bigger platform. Both participation and audience are consistently trending in an upward direction.
June 25th Mikey Musumeci and Rerisson Gabriel will go head to head in the main event of UFC BJJ 1 for the inaugural Bantamweight. UFC BJJ 1 will take place as part of International Fight Week.
The every first event will see champions crowned at Bantamweight (135 lbs.) Lightweight (155 lbs.), & Welterweight (170 lbs.). The weights that the weight classes are associated with will be the compatible to the UFC. As is the structure of the bouts, in the sense that the matches will be three five minute rounds.
To determine who will fight for the inaugural Lightweight & Welterweight Championships the UFC has put together a mini series, UFC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU: Road to the Title.
Just like Road to the UFC the competition will be fast and furious taking place under one roof in a short amount of time. Like the Ultimate Fighter it will take place at the UFC apex and there will be two teams with Musumeci & Gabriel serving as coaches. The series will air free on YouTube starting beginning on Monday, June 16 and new episodes uploaded daily. Full rosters for Lightweight & Welterweight are below.
Lightweight Cast: Welterweight Cast:
Keith Krikorian Andrew Tackett
Gianni Grippo Jason Nolf
Kyvann Gonzalez Andy Varela
Carlos Henrique Davis Asare
Danilo Moreira Elijah Carlton
Mauricio Rios Aaron Wilson
Isaac Doederlein Austin Oranday
Josh Cisneros Nathan Haddad
About The Author
