UFC BJJ – Bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to a Global Stage
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a cornerstone of MMA since the early UFC events in the 1990s, but 2025 marks a new era — the UFC has launched an official Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu league. This historic move elevates grappling to its own professional platform, with the same level of prestige as MMA and boxing, but focused entirely on pure Jiu-Jitsu technique.
For fans and practitioners, it’s more than just another tournament. It’s a sign that the sport we love is stepping into the global spotlight — and for local academies like Seymour Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, it means a wave of new energy and opportunity.
From Reality Series to World-Class Championships
The launch began with UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, a reality-style series streamed free on UFC’s YouTube channel. Two divisions — Lightweight and Welterweight — were each coached by elite competitors Mikey Musumeci and Rerisson Gabriel. Fighters competed in elimination-style matches for the chance to fight at the first-ever UFC BJJ 1 event.
The championship took place on June 25, 2025 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas:
Bantamweight – Mikey Musumeci defeated Rerisson Gabriel via heel hook to become the first UFC BJJ Bantamweight Champion.
Lightweight – Carlos Henrique earned the belt with a dominant performance.
Welterweight – Andrew Tackett, a rising ADCC star, claimed the title in spectacular fashion.
Women’s Featherweight – Bella Mir, daughter of UFC legend Frank Mir, made her presence felt on the big stage.
This format is built for mainstream appeal — three five-minute rounds, a 10-point must scoring system, and no striking. It’s all about positional control, sweeps, passes, and submissions.
Why UFC BJJ Is a Game-Changer
Mainstream Exposure – Millions of UFC fans are now seeing elite-level BJJ without MMA’s striking, making the art more approachable for newcomers.
Professional Opportunities – Grapplers can now have a viable career under the UFC banner without transitioning to MMA.
Growth for Local Academies – As more people search for BJJ near me or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Knoxville TN, schools like Seymour Jiu-Jitsu are perfectly positioned to welcome them.
Train Like the Pros – Right Here in Tennessee
At Seymour Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, you can train in the same techniques and strategies you’ll see in UFC BJJ competition. We offer:
Adult BJJ Programs for men and women of all skill levels.
Kids BJJ Classes that teach confidence, discipline, and self-defense.
Homeschool BJJ Classes designed for kids ages 6–15.
If you’re new to Jiu-Jitsu, our About the Founder page will give you insight into our teaching philosophy, and our Schedule makes it easy to find a class that fits your life.
Why Choose Us?
We’re not just another gym. Students from Seymour, Sevierville, and Knoxville choose our academy for:
A safe, supportive training environment
Proven self-defense instruction
High-level competition training
A friendly, welcoming community
See what our members say on our Reviews page and Contact us to schedule your first free class.
