Two decisive victories, an unexpected arm wrestling match, and a taste of explosive semifinals
Keywords: UFC BJJ Road to the Title episode 6, Andy Varela, Nathan Haddad, Danilo Moreira, Mauricio Rios, semifinals, submission, Jiu-Jitsu, 10th Planet, Team Musumeci, Team Gabriel.
🔄 Episode 5 Recap: What You Need to Know
Jason Nolf pushed Elijah Carlton to his limits, but the 10th Planet style convinced the judges. Meanwhile, Josh Cisneros was forced to leave the competition due to a failed weight cut. Kievon Gonzalez, lying in wait, seized his chance with a lightning submission over replacement Cobey Fehr.
Fight 1: Andy Varela vs Nathan Haddad
Andy Varela: The 10th Planet Showman
“I’m fun to watch, I’m smooth, I was born to be in the UFC.” Andy Varela doesn’t do things halfway. His flamboyant style, his way of talking mid-fight, and his wrestling background make him a camera magnet. At 33, he’s already faced Sean Strickland and trains under the 10th Planet banner in Las Vegas.
Nathan Haddad: The Shadow Worker
Facing him, Nathan Haddad, 27, presents a much more classic profile: jiu-jitsu instructor at the family gym in Louisville, long-time boyfriend, he displays clean technique and exemplary attitude. Mikey Musumeci believes in him: “Nathan is a worker, he deserves a breakthrough.”
The Fight: Stealthy Flash and Clinical Finish
Round 1 remains very neutral: lots of hand fighting, little ground engagement. Andy is relaxed, Nathan stays defensive. Everything changes in round 2: a quick attack, a duck under, and Varela takes the back to finish with a rear naked choke.
“I used my Goku-style teleportation, straight to the back!” laughs Andy hilariously.
Victory by submission, and ticket to the semifinals against Elijah Carlton. Mikey is disappointed but philosophical: “Nathan is a golden guy. He deserved better.”
Friendly Break and Surprise Arm Wrestling
Both teams share a meal at Firefly. The atmosphere is good-natured, until Claudia Gadelha triggers a challenge: arm wrestling between Mikey Musumeci and Gabriel Arges. Against all odds, Gabriel wins… hands down. General laughter, respect intact. A human parenthesis that defuses the competition.
Fight 2: Danilo Moreira vs Mauricio Rios
Danilo Moreira: The Dad on a Mission
From Teresina (Brazil), Danilo Moreira left everything to try his luck in the USA. His love story with his wife Elizabeth Clay (also a fighter, world champion) is touching: “She submitted me ten times with the same technique the day I met her. I knew I wanted to be with her.”
Father of a little boy, he trains hard to inspire his son: “I want him to be able to say: ‘That’s my dad, one of the best.'”
Mauricio Rios: The Mexican with Calm Rage
Brown belt, assumed outsider, Mauricio Rios wants to prove that Mexico can shine in jiu-jitsu. “I’ve beaten champions before. I’m here to take everything.”
The Fight: Constant Intensity, But No Finish
Danilo sets the pace from the start: guard passes, standing pressure, constant attack. Mauricio resists, attempts some leg attacks, but the technical gap is clear.
“He was ready to never tap. He refused to give up, even though I was totally dominating him.”
Unanimous victory for Danilo. Next step: semifinal against Kievon Gonzalez.
🔎 BJJ-Rules Analysis: What We Take From This Episode
1. Explosion vs Control
Andy wins by lightning, Danilo by accumulation. Two ways to shine in this format.
2. The Human at the Heart of the Game
Family, love, sacrifice: each portrait makes these fighters more endearing than ever.
The presentation videos seem much shorter than before, which is a shame!
3. The Urgency to Produce Better
Technical but unspectacular fights risk boring a non-practicing audience. We hope the candidates will manage to let loose a bit and try to ensure the show as much as the victory (some already do it very well!)!
What’s Next? Time for the Semifinals!
Welterweights: 10th Planet vs 10th Planet
Elijah Carlton vs Andy Varela: 10th Planet vs 10th Planet, guaranteed chaos.
Lightweights: Pure Technique
Danilo Moreira vs Kievon Gonzalez: two outsiders, but a real technical promise.
With a bonus, an intriguing teaser: Elijah injured in the arm, will he be able to fight?
UFC BJJ Episode 6 Conclusion: The Intensity Rises a Notch
Episode 6 concludes the quarterfinals with two unequivocal victories and a welcome touch of human emotion. The competition is gaining intensity. If the production keeps up the pace, what follows promises to be electric.
See you for episode 7: Elijah Carlton injured, Andy Varela hungry, and an explosive semifinal between two champions with contrasting styles.
