UFC BJJ: Road to the Title – Episode 1 Recap The Beginning of a New Era in Grappling

The sport that helped launch the UFC is finally getting its own spotlight.

In Episode 1 of UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, the UFC officially brings Brazilian jiu-jitsu back to center stage, this time as its own competitive format. Set in Las Vegas, the inaugural season introduces 16 of the best no-gi grapplers in the world, split between lightweight and welterweight divisions. Their mission is to battle it out inside the UFC octagon for the title of first-ever UFC BJJ Champion in their weight class.

The episode wastes no time reminding us why jiu-jitsu earned global respect. With a flashback to Royce Gracie’s domination at UFC 1, we’re reminded that jiu-jitsu was always about more than just technique. It was about changing the fight game entirely.

Now, decades later, that legacy is evolving.

Meet the Teams

Coaching this first season are two juggernauts in the sport:

• Mikey Musumeci, five-time IBJJF black belt world champion and the first grappler signed to UFC BJJ
• Rerisson Gabriel, a top-ranked, decorated competitor and 2025 Pan Am champ.

Athletes were evaluated through live sparring sessions before teams were chosen in a draft-style selection. Notable names include phenoms like Andrew Tackett, Keith Krikorian, and Isaac Doederlein, as well as promising underdogs with something to prove, like Aaron Wilson, a father, a fighter, and a late bloomer with raw grit.

📺 Watch here: UFC BJJ: Road to the Title | Episode 1

Fight Recap: Tackett vs. Wilson

The first official match of the tournament pitted number one welterweight seed Andrew Tackett (Team Gabriel) against number eight seed Aaron Wilson (Team Musumeci). Wilson brought the heart, but Tackett brought the heat.

From the opening whistle, Tackett blitzed forward with relentless pressure, nullifying Wilson’s game and quickly forcing a submission. It was a performance that reinforced what the jiu-jitsu world already knows. Tackett is a problem for anyone standing across from him.

But if you think this show is just about dominance, think again. The interviews between the matches peel back the layers. Wilson shares his family story, his autistic son, and what it means to chase a dream with real-world stakes on the line. It’s the kind of emotional depth that elevates the stakes beyond medals and rankings.

The Ruleset That Changes Everything

Unlike traditional jiu-jitsu tournaments, UFC BJJ implements a modified MMA-style scoring format with three five-minute rounds, no out-of-bounds resets, and heavy scoring incentives for submission attempts. The result is no stalling, no safe strategies, and non-stop action in a cage that forces forward movement and favors the bold.

“You can't roll up the wall anymore. You’ve got to throw it all out there.” One of the competitors sums it up best.

What’s Next?

With Tackett advancing to the semifinals, all eyes shift to the lightweight bracket. In the next episode, top-seeded Keith Krikorian (Team Gabriel) takes on Isaac Doederlein (Team Musumeci), a matchup that promises fireworks between two of the most creative submission artists in the game.

Can Isaac pull off the upset? Or will Keith prove why he’s been the most consistent force at 155 pounds?

One thing is certain. UFC BJJ: Road to the Title is already delivering on its promise to change the trajectory of competitive grappling forever.