UFC BJJ 5 — Full Results, Analysis & Takeaways !

By BJJ-Rules | February 13, 2026 | Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada

Introduction — A Night of Champions… and Questions

Both champions got the job done. Mikey Musumeci (bantamweight) and Ronaldo Junior (middleweight) left Las Vegas with their belts firmly around their waists. On paper, UFC BJJ 5 had everything going for it: a double title headliner, Nicholas Meregali’s comeback after 17 months on the sidelines, two European world champions looking to shake up the hierarchy, and the largest crowd ever seen at the Meta APEX.

But let’s be honest: if you set aside Jalen Fonacier’s 19-second lightning bolt to open the show and Andy Murasaki’s clinical submission of Andy Varela, this fifth edition lacked punch. Too many decisions. Too many locked-up bouts. Not enough risk-taking. At times, it felt like competitors were more focused on securing the win than putting on a show — a paradox for a format designed precisely for entertainment.

That said, UFC BJJ remains an incredible product: free, live, with the best grapplers in the world. The potential is massive. But to reach the next level, the bantamweight division needs to find a real rival for Musumeci, and future cards need more explosive matchups. More on that later.

In the meantime, here’s the full recap of the evening!

Full Results — UFC BJJ 5

Match by Match: Recap & Analysis

Match 1 — Jalen Fonacier vs Carlos Oliveira (Bantamweight, 135 lbs)

Result: Fonacier via submission (inside heel hook) — R1, 0:19

The night starts at full speed. Jalen Fonacier doesn’t even give Carlos Oliveira time to understand what’s happening. Right from the engagement, the 20-year-old prodigy dives under the guard, latches onto the leg, and locks up a devastating inside heel hook. Nineteen seconds. That’s all it took.

It’s the fastest submission in UFC BJJ history, and Fonacier now holds three of the four quickest finishes on the platform. The first Filipino-American black belt world champion in BJJ continues to make history with every appearance.

Worth noting: the legendary Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” Maciel was in his corner — a detail that says a lot about the caliber of this kid’s team from Los Angeles.

When a win is this fast, the question always comes up: extraordinary performance from one, or simply a mistake from the other? Probably a bit of both, but Fonacier’s record (3-0, three submissions) leaves no room for doubt: this kid is a problem for the entire division.

What’s next? Fonacier is calling for a fight at 125 lbs. He doesn’t want to face his teammate Mikey Musumeci. The creation of a flyweight division seems inevitable — and urgent — to harness this phenomenon’s potential.

Match 2 — Carol Brunacio vs Mona Bailey (Women’s Flyweight, 125 lbs)

Result: Brunacio via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Back to earth after the Fonacier lightning bolt. This bout between two UFC BJJ debutants boiled down to a series of exchanges and reversals, without either woman creating real danger. At times, it bordered on a flow roll — not what you expect on the biggest stage in world BJJ.

Brunacio made the difference in the third round by diversifying her attacks (guillotine attempts, passing pressure) and finishing stronger. It was enough to convince all three judges.

Mona Bailey, 21, owner of her own academy in Houston, deserves respect for her personal journey (she overcame alopecia since childhood, hence her nickname “Bald Mona”), but tonight, the level wasn’t quite there.

Match 3 — Rerisson Gabriel vs Landon Elmore (Featherweight, 145 lbs)

Result: Gabriel via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

This match raised an interesting question for the division’s future: would 19-year-old Landon Elmore, cornered by none other than John Danaher, confirm his prodigy status after his explosive UFC BJJ 4 debut?

The answer is no. Rerisson Gabriel, former bantamweight title challenger (defeated by Musumeci at UFC BJJ 1), imposed his physical and tactical maturity. From the first round, the 23-year-old Brazilian dictated the pace with a very physical approach, preventing Elmore from initiating his fearsome leg attacks.

Elmore had his moments — notably a terrifying heel hook sequence late in the first round that nearly changed everything — but never found that intensity again. Gabriel was more consistent and more aggressive through the second and third rounds, including a strong guillotine attempt and relentless top pressure.

At 19, Elmore still lacks power, as commentator Dean Thomas pointed out. His dependence on leg locks, as brilliant as they are, becomes predictable when the opponent has done their homework. Physical maturity will come with time.

Open question: This match raises concerns about the bantamweight/featherweight division matchmaking. If Gabriel wins — and he did — who emerges as a real challenger for Musumeci? We hope UFC BJJ will go after names like Joao Miyao to truly shake up the hierarchy.

Match 4 — Jonnatas Gracie vs Yan Lucas (Welterweight, 170 lbs)

Result: Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

An all-Brazilian clash between two welterweights with inspiring backgrounds. Jonnatas Gracie (no relation to the famous family) delivered a masterful performance from his butterfly guard — shoulder isolations, kimura attempts, triangle threats. Facing him, Yan Lucas, contacted less than two weeks before the event, showed courage but never managed to pass Gracie’s stubborn guard.

Gracie’s butterfly guard work is a treat for purists: underhooks, elevations, isolations. It’s clean, methodical, effective. But entertainment-wise, it left us wanting more — yet another decision, and the evening was starting to pile up finishless bouts.

After the bout, Gracie issued a direct callout to welterweight champion Andrew Tackett, who was sitting Bowlside. The message was clear: “Give me the title fight.” Whether UFC BJJ gives him the shot over Murasaki remains to be seen.

Match 5 — Rebeca Lima vs Taylor Ellis (Women’s Featherweight, 145 lbs)

Result: Lima via submission (Estima lock) — R2, 3:55

Finally some fire on the women’s side. Rebeca Lima, six-time IBJJF world champion, showed why experience makes the difference. Facing 19-year-old Taylor Ellis, nicknamed “Baba Yaga,” as confident as she is talented, the Brazilian played the patience game before striking at the perfect moment.

The first round was balanced, with Ellis imposing her wrestling and passing while Lima defended intelligently from her guard. The turning point came in the second round: Ellis attempted a straight ankle lock, overexposed herself — and Lima capitalized with a cold, clinical Estima lock. Tap was immediate. The look on Ellis’s face said it all: she didn’t see that coming.

Worth noting: Ellis missed weight (147 lbs instead of 145), costing her 20% of her purse. At this level of competition, that’s a regrettable lack of professionalism.

Lima’s emotion during her post-fight interview was palpable. The Brazilian, who left her family in Rio to train in Midland, Texas with Cassia Mora, broke down in tears while addressing her parents in Portuguese. She now aims for a match against Bella Mir, then the featherweight title.

Match 6 — Andy Murasaki vs Andy Varela (Welterweight, 170 lbs)

Result: Murasaki via submission (armbar) — R1, 4:32

The “Battle of the Andys” — and the first match we were truly waiting for. Not for the technique, but for the storyline. Varela, self-proclaimed villain of UFC BJJ, had left a mixed impression last time out (he’d flexed on an injured opponent). Tonight, he doubled down with borderline collar ties, barely disguised low kicks, and behavior constantly flirting with the red line. Referee Jason Herzog had to stop the action to remind everyone that “this is not an MMA fight.”

But Andy Murasaki refused to be rattled. Calm, methodical, unshakeable. From his guard, the 25-year-old Japanese-born fighter (based in San Diego) waited for his moment. When Varela committed too far, Murasaki isolated the arm, transitioned from a Choi bar attempt to a textbook armbar, and it was over. 4 minutes 32 seconds. Clean. Sharp. Surgical.

“I visualized the submission. It’s not arrogance — I just knew that if I could control him, I’d build something. He was trying to slap my head, mess with my mind… but it’s hard to get into my head.” — Andy Murasaki

Murasaki moves to 3-0 in submissions under the UFC/UFC BJJ banner. Backstage, he had a face-off with champion Andrew Tackett, who himself declared he’d welcome the fight. It would be a fascinating clash of styles: Tackett’s aggressive guard passing against Murasaki’s offensive guard game.

“I’m not arrogant, but I know where I am and where I want to go. People often see where they want to go but don’t know where they are — that’s the hardest part.” — Andy Murasaki

Match 7 — Nicholas Meregali vs Nico Maglicic (Heavyweight, 265 lbs)

Result: Meregali via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 29-26)

The legend returns. 17 months away. Four surgeries (shoulder, knee, elbow). Nicholas Meregali, three-time world champion, made his Bowl debut — with John Danaher in his corner.

Facing him, Nico Maglicic, 25, from Australia, 2025 IBJJF No-Gi world champion, who wasn’t short on ambition: “It’s retirement time for Meregali. There’s a new Nicholas.”

The words were strong. The reality on the mat was less so. Meregali dominated from start to finish — butterfly sweep in the first round, crushing mount control, arm triangle threats and back transitions in the second — but never found the submission. More laborious than expected for a talent of this caliber.

Meregali himself acknowledged it with lucidity in his interview:

“I felt a bit awkward. 17 months without competing — I didn’t feel my best. Technically, I’m the same guy — I have everything I need to win. But I need to find that mental freedom in competition again. I need to string some matches together.”

The good news: this isn’t his last fight. Meregali is targeting a return in April for UFC BJJ 7. BJJ needs him in the heavyweight division — let’s hope the competitive rhythm allows him to rediscover the level that made him one of the most spectacular grapplers on the planet.

Match 8 — 🏆 Ronaldo Junior (c) vs Tarik Hopstock — Middleweight Title (185 lbs)

Result: Ronaldo Junior via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) — retains title

Tarik Hopstock was arguably the crowd favorite for this one. The Norwegian is an innovator — his “Tarikoplata” (a devastating joint lock of his own creation) has become a move taught in academies worldwide. On top of that, Tarik seems to draw sympathy through his demeanor.

Unfortunately for this bout, raw physical strength was also a deciding factor. Ronaldo Junior, with his long arms and brute power, neutralized Hopstock’s creativity over three rounds. The Brazilian (who revealed he’d been hospitalized the previous week with severe flu) started slow, potentially conceding the first round. But from the second onward, he raised the intensity with relentless top pressure and constant passing attempts.

Hopstock tried to impose his reverse guard and leg lock entries, but Junior maintained a low base, chest glued to the mat, eliminating the space the Norwegian needed to work underneath.

The third round was the best: Junior accelerated in the final minutes with a frantic series of passing attempts — knee cuts, weave passes, lateral movements — showing true championship mentality. Sick or not, he found the resources.

“I’ll never pull out of a fight because I’m sick. I had to come here, represent, and give my best.” — Ronaldo Junior

A deserved win, but let’s admit it: entertainment-wise, it wasn’t the fireworks we’d hoped for. The fight stayed locked up for much of the time, and neither man truly threatened a finish. The feeling persists that at this UFC BJJ 5, competitors prioritized safety over spectacle.

Match 9 — 🏆 Mikey Musumeci (c) vs Shay Montague — Bantamweight Title (135 lbs)

Result: Musumeci via submission (foot lock) — R2, 4:09 — retains title

The main event. And the confirmation of a feeling that hung over the entire evening: Mikey Musumeci has not yet found his rival at UFC BJJ.

Shay Montague, the 27-year-old Scotsman, IBJJF European and World champion, arrived with a legitimate contender’s aura. His extraordinary flexibility (he used to drink beers with his feet in college — just to give you the picture) and his inventive guard game promised an interesting puzzle for the champion.

But Musumeci had decided to play the evolution card. Instead of immediately diving into the legs as usual, he worked from top position — passing the guard three times, using his strength and hip pressure to crush Montague’s game. The Scotsman was never able to deploy his offensive arsenal.

Worse: Montague injured himself during the first round. Back in his corner, he admitted to having “torn something in his upper leg.” Musumeci, lucid, explained after the fight:

“I was putting so much pressure on his legs with my hips that his knee ended up popping. He’s very flexible, so I knew that if I kept pressing, it would eventually give. I even apologized — I asked him if he was okay.”

Montague came back for the second round, but Musumeci quickly took side control, and when he decided it was enough, he returned to his bread and butter — a straight ankle lock from outside ashi, clean and irresistible. Fight over at 4:09 of round two.

“I could have finished earlier. I asked Cobrinha if I could end it, and he wanted me to keep working the top. Shay’s guard is incredible, a true human pretzel. But I wanted to show something different — that I can also pass guard and play top.”

The surprise callout: Musumeci finished by calling out… Arman Tsarukyan, the UFC fighter, who had challenged actor Tom Hardy (a BJJ brown belt) to a grappling match. Mikey offered to move up in weight to face Tsarukyan instead. An interesting media play, even if the probability of this match happening remains slim.

Editorial Takeaway — A Night of Mixed Feelings

What Worked

Production and atmosphere. The Meta APEX in its new expanded configuration offers a unique experience. The crowd, the largest ever at UFC BJJ, was engaged and respectful — the silence during the main event, followed by applause for guard passes, suggested an atmosphere worthy of the biggest nights.

Jalen Fonacier. Three fights, three submissions, three records. This kid is a star in the making. UFC BJJ needs to create the 125-pound division for him.

Andy Murasaki. The most complete performance of the night. Technical, calm, efficient. His backstage face-off with Andrew Tackett promises an exciting future welterweight title fight.

Geographic diversity. Scotland, Norway, Australia, Japan, Brazil, United States — five nationalities represented. BJJ is a global sport, and UFC BJJ shows it.

What Was Missing

The spectacle. Six decisions in nine fights. That’s a lot. Some bouts settled into a cautious rhythm, where competitors seemed more concerned with not losing than winning decisively. The contrast with previous editions is notable.

A real challenger for Musumeci. Montague was the best available name, and the fight was never competitive. The bantamweight division needs a jolt. Names like Joao Miyao could bring that dimension — a grappler with the technical level to truly test Musumeci on his own turf.

The women’s level. It’s a delicate thing to say, but the two women’s bouts of the evening (aside from Lima’s finish) didn’t show a level of competition befitting the biggest stage in world BJJ. Lima was impressive, Ellis promising — but the rest still needs work. The arrival of Cassia Mora and Fion Davis for the women’s bantamweight title in March should raise the bar.

What’s Next? The Future of UFC BJJ

UFC BJJ 6 — March 12, 2026: Mason Fowler vs Felipe Machado (light heavyweight title) and Fion Davis vs Cassia Mora (inaugural women’s bantamweight title). Several familiar names are also expected on the card.

UFC BJJ 7 — April 2, 2026: Aurélie Le Vern vs Brianna Ste-Marie (women’s featherweight title). This is also the date Nicholas Meregali is targeting for his second comeback fight.

Matchups to watch: Andy Murasaki vs Andrew Tackett (welterweight title) would be the fight to make. Jonnatas Gracie is also in the running. And above all, UFC BJJ needs to find an opponent worthy of Musumeci — the division depends on it.

The 125-pound division: Fonacier is demanding it. Musumeci doesn’t want to fight his teammate. Logic dictates this division should see the light of day in 2026.

Conclusion

UFC BJJ 5 wasn’t the most spectacular night in the competition’s young history. But it confirmed several things: Mikey Musumeci remains untouchable at bantamweight, Ronaldo Junior has the heart of a champion, and emerging names like Fonacier and Murasaki are ready to carry the platform forward.

The most important thing? It’s all free, live, on YouTube. Long live BJJ. And here’s hoping UFC BJJ finds the matchups that will take the sport to the next level. One name comes to mind: Joao Miyao. Bring him in. The fans — and Musumeci — need it!

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