UFC BJJ: Road to the Title – Episode 5 Recap
Welterweight war, last-minute drama, and a wildcard upset in a stacked episode
A Clash of Styles
Episode 4 kicks off with anticipation as Jason Nolf, a high-level wrestler from Round Rock, Texas, prepares to test his developing jiu-jitsu against 10th Planet standout Elijah Carlton. On paper, it’s a textbook striker vs. grappler scenario, except this time, the battle is between world-class wrestling instincts and creative submission threats.
Mikey Musumeci wastes no time organizing prep time inside the Octagon itself. His approach for Nolf is simple but effective — stay long, avoid leg entanglements, and pressure a seated guard player like Carlton into exhaustion. Jason, a Penn State-trained wrestler and new father, reflects on his transition from wrestling into full-time jiu-jitsu. For him, this isn't just a match, it's a coming-of-age moment in his second martial arts career.
On the other side, Elijah Carlton embraces his unorthodox flair. Known for eccentric body language, psychological games, and explosive submission setups, Carlton promises fireworks. He opens up about his small-town Georgia roots, his late father’s influence, and his evolution from a party-loving wildcard to a focused competitor with something to prove.
📺 Watch now: UFC BJJ: Road to the Title | Episode 4
Technical Chess and Tactical Pressure
From the opening bell, Nolf imposes forward pressure, alternating between hand fighting and tactical feints while respecting Carlton’s leg lock entries. The match becomes a tactical chess game with both corners shouting real-time adjustments.
Nolf maintains consistent pressure throughout the early rounds, threatening guard passes and attacking with positional dominance. Carlton responds with timely submission threats and deceptive guard work, including a triangle that could have ended the match if not for Nolf’s grit.
The third round pushes both athletes to their limits. Jason continues to attack and push the pace, while Elijah uses slick control and submission threats to tilt the judges in his favor. Despite Jason’s apparent control for most of the bout, the judges award a split decision to Elijah Carlton.
The result stuns Team Musumeci. Mikey voices his frustration, noting that while Elijah’s submissions looked active, Jason was consistently scoring and dictating the match. Still, Elijah advances to the semifinals.
Chaos at the Scales and a Last-Minute Replacement
The next quarterfinal was set to be a battle between two lightweight seeds, Josh Cisneros and Kyvann Gonzalez. But a brutal weight cut sidelines Cisneros, whose body begins to shut down just hours before weigh-ins. The UFC doctor halts the process, removing Cisneros from the tournament.
In a last-minute twist, Mikey Musumeci calls in UFC Fight Pass Invitational athlete Coby Fehr as a replacement. Fair, a gritty Ohio native and two-time NCAA All-American wrestler, accepts the call and makes weight within hours. Despite the late notice, he steps in as the new two seed.
Gonzalez, known for his humorous jiu-jitsu content and sharp leg game, adjusts on the fly. With a new opponent and an unexpected matchup style, he leans into a strategy crafted with Mikey to play loose, find entries, and force scrambles.
The Underdog Shines
Kyvann Gonzalez vs. Coby Fehr becomes the episode’s surprise highlight. From the opening exchange, Kyvann’s pace and creativity force Fair onto the defensive. Despite Fehr’s wrestling pedigree, Gonzalez controls the tempo with grips, scrambles, and constant pressure.
Midway through the round, Gonzalez isolates a leg, breaks down Coby’s posture, and attacks a unique variation of a toe hold. The pressure leads to a tap, earning Gonzalez the first-round submission win.
The moment is huge, a seven seed defeating a last-minute but dangerous opponent with a Division I wrestling background. For Gonzalez, it validates his skillset, and for Team Musumeci, it’s a return to form after the controversial decision earlier.
On the Next Episode…
With only two quarterfinal matches left, Episode 5 promises more fireworks. Team Gabriel’s Andy Varela, the number two welterweight seed and a Texas fan favorite, squares off against Nathan Hadad of Team Musumeci. Varela’s experience and pace meet Hadad’s gritty determination in what coaches are calling a potential fight of the season.
Then, in the final lightweight quarterfinal, Mauricio Rios of Team Gabriel takes on Denilo Morera of Team Musumeci. As the last two semifinal spots are claimed, the race to the first UFC BJJ title gets even tighter.