UFC BJJ: Road to the Title – Episode 2 Recap: The Underdog Strikes First in the Lightweight Bracket

After Andrew Tackett punched his ticket to the semifinals in the opening welterweight bout, Episode 2 shifts the spotlight to the lightweight division, where the stakes, the strategy, and the storytelling all kick into overdrive.

The feature matchup of the episode pits top-seeded Keith Krikorian of Team Gabriel against the underdog, eighth-seeded Isaac Doederlein of Team Musumeci. What unfolds is a three-round war, fueled by grit, pressure, and a shared respect for the opportunity in front of them.

Isaac’s Motivation Runs Deep

While Isaac may be the lower seed on paper, he enters the octagon with something even heavier than expectation, purpose. He’s fighting for his wife, his three young kids, and in memory of his late father who passed away from brain cancer. His backstory is emotional and powerful, and it’s clear that he’s carrying more than just his own ambition into this match.

“I’m not really doing this for myself. I’m doing this for my family, my friends, my teammates, and everyone who believed in me before they had a reason to.”

Keith’s Killer Instinct

Keith Krikorian brings his own brand of transparency, opening up about his mental health journey, the turning point after winning ADCC Trials, and finding stability with his girlfriend and two cats in San Diego. As a black belt under Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez, Keith is known for relentless attacks and a submission-heavy style that thrives in no-gi.

“My game is all about attacking. I go for tons of submissions, and that means I leave openings. But I don’t care. That’s how I fight.”

Pasta, Philosophy, and the “Ecological Jiu-Jitsu” Debate

Before weigh-ins, Mikey invites his team over for a homemade Italian dinner. It’s one of the lighter, more relatable moments in the series as the team bonds over food, family, and a hilarious debate about “ecological jiu-jitsu”. A trending concept that has some scratching their heads and others defending its methodology.

📺 Watch here: UFC BJJ: Road to the Title | Episode 2

The Match: Three Rounds of Heart and Hustle

From the first exchange, Isaac surprises Keith with slick leg entanglements, off-balancing sweeps, and calculated submission entries. Keith fires back with powerful defenses and transitions to headlock attacks, particularly in the second round where he nearly finishes with a D’arce choke.

Heading into the final round, both corners know it’s 1-1.

That’s when Isaac flips the switch.

He storms forward in the third, pushing the pace, threatening submissions, and displaying top control that even catches Keith off guard. Keith, typically composed and aggressive, looks winded and tentative. Isaac, driven by emotion and sheer will, seizes the moment.

The decision is unanimous.

Isaac Doederlein becomes the first lightweight to advance to the semifinals in UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, proving that rankings don’t account for hunger.

What’s Next?

The bracket continues with a welterweight matchup between two Texas natives. In Episode 3, #6 seed Austin Arande of Team Gabriel faces #3 seed Davis Assari of Team Musumeci. Expect power, scrambles, and fireworks as these two clash for a spot in the semifinals.

One match at a time, UFC BJJ is redefining what it means to fight for something more than just a title. It’s about legacy. It’s about heart. And if Episode 2 proved anything, it’s that the underdogs are not just showing up. They’re taking over.