By BJJ-Rules | March 4, 2026
Table Of Content
We asked for it. They delivered.
Three weeks ago, we ended our UFC BJJ 5 recap with one line: “One name comes to mind: Joao Miyao. Bring him in. The fans — and Musumeci — need it.” We weren’t the only ones calling for it: Musumeci himself, then Jalen Fonacier, had both called out the Brazilian legend from the Bowl.
Well, it’s happening. UFC BJJ has announced the signing of Joao Miyao for UFC BJJ 6 on March 12. And that’s not the only bombshell: Nick Rodriguez, winner of the Craig Jones Invitational in 2024, is also making his Bowl debut. Two major signings that turn an already stacked card (two title fights) into a potentially historic evening.
Here’s the full breakdown.
Joao Miyao joins UFC BJJ: why this changes everything
Joao Miyao is not just another signing. Five-time IBJJF world champion, berimbolo pioneer alongside his twin brother Paulo, the 34-year-old Brazilian is one of the most respected names in jiu-jitsu history. His resume speaks for itself: world titles in gi and no-gi, Pan and European medals, ADCC appearances. His inventive guard and ability to submit from seemingly impossible positions make him a unique tactical puzzle. The brothers opened Studio 1908 together in Jersey City, New Jersey in early 2024 — a project that carries their Japanese-Brazilian heritage, but that’s a story for another day.
For his Bowl debut, Miyao will face Jussier Formiga, the former UFC fighter turned pure grappler (1-0 at UFC BJJ). Both men won gold in their respective Masters divisions at the 2026 IBJJF Europeans in Lisbon. This is no exhibition bout — it’s a clash between two competitors in peak form.
But the stakes go well beyond this match. What everyone’s really waiting for is what comes next: Miyao vs Musumeci. The two have already met — at the 2017 IBJJF Worlds, in a tight match that captivated the BJJ world. Musumeci won, but Miyao is the kind of opponent who can push him to his limits: same size, same tactical intelligence, same ability to play a creative guard game.
Some are already calling this the most significant signing since Nicholas Meregali joined the promotion. We agree.
Nicky Rod enters the Bowl: the wild card
The other big surprise: Nick Rodriguez, aka “Nicky Rod,” makes his UFC BJJ debut against Elder Cruz at heavyweight.
Rodriguez’s recent track record is staggering. Winner of the first Craig Jones Invitational in 2024 ($1 million in prize money after submitting all four opponents), then part of the victorious B-Team squad at CJI 2 in 2025 (team format, $1 million for the team), the 29-year-old American has become one of the highest-profile grapplers on the planet. Seeing him join UFC BJJ, whose pay structure is notoriously more modest, raised plenty of eyebrows in the community. Some speculate about a long-term exclusive deal, others about strategic positioning.
His opponent, Elder Cruz, is no pushover: two-time IBJJF no-gi world champion, the Californian actually beat Rodriguez by decision when they first met at WNO 11 in January 2022. Back then, Rodriguez was still a purple belt and Cruz a brown belt. Both have evolved considerably since — this rematch should give a much clearer picture of where things stand.
Rodriguez’s signing comes at a tense moment. UFC BJJ recently announced that athletes under exclusive contracts will no longer be allowed to compete at ADCC starting in 2027, with limited exceptions in 2026. With ADCC 2026 and CJI 3 both scheduled this year, the question of exclusive contracts is becoming a central issue in professional grappling.
Two titles on the line: Fowler-Machado and Davies-Moura
The Miyao and Rodriguez signings shouldn’t overshadow the fact that this card is built around two world-class championship bouts.
Main event: Mason Fowler (c) vs Pedro Machado — Light Heavyweight Title
Mason Fowler defends his title for the first time. The inaugural light heavyweight champion submitted David Garmo via rear-naked choke in the first round at UFC BJJ 2 in July 2025. The American from Fresno, California has had an unusual path: former undefeated MMA fighter (6-0) who switched to grappling after repeated concussions, earned his black belt under Caio Terra, won the Brasileiro (one of the few Americans to ever do so), qualified twice for ADCC Trials, and dominated at Submission Underground with eight consecutive title defenses.
His style is unmistakable: heavy wrestling, suffocating passing pressure, and the ability to crush opponents from top position. Across from him, Pedro Machado brings an identical Bowl record: 1-0, one submission (over Filipe Pinheiro at UFC BJJ 1 in round two). The Brazilian from Rio, a silver medalist at the 2023 IBJJF Worlds, is known for his offensive game and finishing ability.
This is a clash between two finishers. It shouldn’t go to a decision, and that’s exactly what this card needs after a UFC BJJ 5 that had too many of them.
Co-main event: Ffion Davies vs Cassia Moura — Inaugural Women’s Bantamweight Title
This is the women’s fight BJJ has been waiting for.
Ffion Davies, 31, is simply one of the greatest female competitors in jiu-jitsu history. The Welsh grappler is a 2022 ADCC champion, multiple IBJJF world champion in gi and no-gi, the first British woman to win an IBJJF world title at black belt, the first European to win the Brasileiro, and the lightest athlete to ever take the absolute at the no-gi Worlds. Her game combines high-level judo (she represented Wales on the junior national team), devastating passing and a killer finishing instinct. She’s signed an exclusive deal with UFC BJJ — a sign the promotion is betting big on her.
Across the mat, Cassia Moura, 19, is the new generation’s phenomenon. Her trajectory is mind-blowing: blue belt to black belt in a single year, powered by three consecutive IBJJF world titles. Already 2-0 in the Bowl (wins over Talita Alencar and Alex Enriquez), she also won the Brasileiro and a second world title in 2025, jumping up four weight classes to claim gold at heavyweight. Her coach Cassia Mora — based in Midland, Texas, where Rebeca Lima also trains — has guided this meteoric rise.
Davies brings experience, tactical maturity and an almost unmatched resume. Moura brings youth, fearlessness and a winning streak that seems unstoppable. It’s a true generational clash — and potentially the best women’s bout in UFC BJJ history.
After our criticism of the women’s level at UFC BJJ 5, this fight is the perfect answer. The level is there. The stakes are there. Bring on March 12.
The rest of the card
Beyond the headline bouts, UFC BJJ 6 features several compelling matchups:
| Division | Fighter 1 | vs | Fighter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Devhonte Johnson (Paterson, NJ) | vs | Lucas Norat (Phoenix, AZ) |
| Featherweight | Meyram Maquine (São Paulo) | vs | Marco Mendes (French Camp, CA) |
| Women’s Bantamweight | Ana Rodrigues (São Paulo) | vs | Jasmine Rocha (Hollywood, FL) |
| Middleweight | Manuel Ribamar (Manaus) | vs | Caio Vinicius Santos (Los Angeles, CA) |
Devhonte Johnson, a multiple IBJJF world champion, brings serious pedigree to the heavyweight division against the promising Lucas Norat. Manuel Ribamar, world champion in both gi and no-gi, is one of Brazilian BJJ’s most dangerous offensive weapons — his middleweight clash with Caio Vinicius should deliver action.
Full Card — UFC BJJ 6: Fowler vs Machado
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 — 8pm ET / 5pm PT
Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Free and live on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel
| # | Division | Fighter 1 | vs | Fighter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME | 🏆 Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) | Mason Fowler (c) | vs | Pedro Machado |
| Co-ME | 🏆 Women’s Bantamweight | Ffion Davies | vs | Cassia Moura |
| 3 | Heavyweight (265 lbs) | Nick Rodriguez | vs | Elder Cruz |
| 4 | Bantamweight (135 lbs) | Joao Miyao | vs | Jussier Formiga |
| 5 | Heavyweight (265 lbs) | Devhonte Johnson | vs | Lucas Norat |
| 6 | Featherweight (145 lbs) | Meyram Maquine | vs | Marco Mendes |
| 7 | Women’s Bantamweight | Ana Rodrigues | vs | Jasmine Rocha |
| 8 | Middleweight (185 lbs) | Manuel Ribamar | vs | Caio Vinicius Santos |
What’s next? How these signings reshape UFC BJJ
Beyond March 12, the arrivals of Miyao and Rodriguez reshape the promotion’s landscape.
If Miyao wins (and he’s the favorite against Formiga), the matchup with Musumeci becomes inevitable. It would be the first UFC BJJ fight capable of generating real narrative excitement: the legend versus the reigning champion, berimbolo against leg game, Brazil versus the United States. The bantamweight division desperately needs it.
As for Rodriguez, his presence raises fascinating questions. If he dominates Elder Cruz, who’s next at heavyweight? Meregali, who’s targeting a return at UFC BJJ 7 in April? Middleweight champion Ronaldo Junior, if he moves up? The possibilities are numerous, and that’s precisely what the promotion was missing.
Exclusive contract issue looms in the background. The ban on ADCC participation from 2027 onward for UFC BJJ contracted athletes is a hot topic. If the promotion wants to justify that exclusivity, it needs to deliver cards of this caliber — and on that front, UFC BJJ 6 sends the right message.
Worth noting that UFC BJJ 7 is set for April 2 with another major fight: Aurélie Le Vern, the French champion, will defend her featherweight title against Brianna Ste-Marie. Meregali is also targeting that date for his second appearance. March-April 2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting stretch in UFC BJJ’s young history.
Our take
UFC BJJ 6 is the most complete card the promotion has put together. Two title fights with world-class matchups, the arrival of two names capable of transforming the competition, and an undercard that promises action. After a mixed fifth edition, this is exactly the response that was needed.
We’ll be watching on March 12. And this time, we’re hoping the show lives up to the hype!
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