UFC BJJ: Road to the Title – Episode 8 Recap

Musumeci was right!!!

"Jiu-Jitsu is violent". That’s what Mikey Musumeci warned us about earlier in the season, and Episode 8 delivered the brutal truth. Submissions aren’t just a game of taps and points—they’re a test of how far someone is willing to go to win. From a dislocated elbow to high-stakes chokes, this episode put that reality on full display.

UFC BJJ: Road to the Title – Episode 8 Recap
Heartbreak, heroics, and the brackets are finally set

📺 Watch here: UFC BJJ: Road to the Title | Episode 8

Tackett books his spot, Nolf bows out

The episode opens by revisiting Elijah Carlton’s injury exit and Jason Nolf’s unexpected second chance. Nolf showed grit, but top-seeded Andrew Tackett confirmed favoritism once again. A slick back-take and rear-naked choke ended matters in round one and locked Tackett into the welterweight final.

Doederlein vs. Enrique – a dream ends, a finalist emerges

Next came the all-Musumeci lightweight semifinal: Isaac Doederlein versus Carlos Enrique. Early, Isaac threatened with foot locks, yet Carlos’s nonstop pace tilted the tide. Mid-round two Carlos latched a tight armbar; Isaac refused to tap and paid the price, suffering a gruesome elbow dislocation.

Enrique advanced by submission and immediately apologized to his teammate. Isaac left on a stretcher but with head held high, promising to return stronger.

Varela vs. Assari – third time settles the rivalry

The final semifinal paired trash-talking 2-seed Andy Varela against 3-seed Davis Assari.

• Round 1: Assari jumped closed guard and nearly finished a straight-arm lock, taking the judges’ nod.
• Round 2: Varela adjusted stance, hammered stack passes, and evened the score.
• Round 3: An X-pass to knee-cut forced Assari to turtle; Varela cinched his trademark anaconda choke and sealed the comeback.

With the win Varela joins Tackett in the welterweight title match.

Finals set for UFC BJJ 1

Lightweight championship
Carlos Enrique vs. Danilo Morera

Welterweight championship
Andrew Tackett vs. Andy Varela

Bantamweight super-fight
Mikey Musumeci vs. Rerisson Gabriel

Teaser for the live finale on June 25

• Will Tackett’s creative scramble style stifle Varela’s mind games and wrestling?
• Can Enrique’s top pressure break Morera’s technical guard?
• Do the coaches settle the bantamweight debate, or spark a new rivalry?

Find out June 25 at UFC BJJ 1, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on UFC Fight Pass. A new era in grappling is about to crown its first champions.