Las Vegas. June 25, 2025. Inside the heated UFC Apex for UFC BJJ 1, the lights dim. Three finals, an unprecedented Bowl, a crowd on their feet… Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lives its big night.
On June 25, 2025, BJJ entered a new era.
Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro: A Legend Referees History
Amid all this modernity, a familiar silhouette officiated discreetly: Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro. Seeing this ABSOLUTE legend referee UFC BJJ 1 was a moment of pure emotion for any grappling enthusiast.
The legendary resume: Vitor isn’t just a former fighter – he’s a truly great lightweight champion.
4x CBJJ World Champion (1996 as purple belt, then 1999-2000-2001 consecutively as black belt), ADCC 2000 and 2003 participant. In MMA: 18 wins for only one loss, Shooto welterweight champion AND Cage Rage lightweight champion (just that!).
The heroic era: Shaolin dominated Japan (Shooto, K-1 HERO’S), conquered England (Cage Rage), and shined wherever combat was king. His victories against Kazuyuki Miyata and Eiji Mitsuoka marked the history of Japanese grappling. His legendary fight against Shinya Aoki remains in memory.
The perfect symbol: Having a 4x world champion as referee was the ideal bridge between the golden age of BJJ and this new UFC era. A man who won EVERYTHING in the old world now supervises its renaissance.
Royal refereeing: And technically, Vitor was obviously perfect. Impeccable positions, fair interventions, respect for the flow… Championship-level refereeing in a cutting-edge format.
UFC BJJ 1 – Summary of a Historic Event
It was the appointment all grappling fans were waiting for: the first edition of UFC BJJ, organized at the legendary UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Three finals, three belts, and the inauguration of an unprecedented format blending spectacle, efficiency, and respect for pure jiu-jitsu.
The winners? Carlos Henrique, Andrew Tackett and Mikey Musumeci, each crowned in their category, following striking fights, both for their intensity and symbolic significance.
But more than results, UFC BJJ 1 confirmed one thing: grappling can captivate the general public without denying its identity.
After this global summary, let’s dive into the three finals that marked this historic evening!
Lightweight Final – Carlos Henrique vs Danilo Moreira
Two Brazilians, two former teammates from Team Musumeci, and a rematch. Danilo had shined all season with his technical precision, but Carlos managed to impose an infernal pace from the start.
Tactical analysis: Carlos relied on constant pressure, neutralizing Danilo’s sophisticated guard game. His strategy? Force transitions, seek dominant positions, and capitalize on his physical superiority on the ground.
Round after round, Henrique advances, passes, controls… until locking an unstoppable armbar in the third round. Danilo taps immediately.
“I give it to God, he’s the reason I’m here today. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love. I feel great. I think I worked my entire life for one moment like that. My mom, my family, everybody’s really part of me and today I make history.” — Carlos Henrique
Carlos becomes the first UFC BJJ lightweight champion. A well-deserved victory, no question.
The killer detail: This armbar was perfectly set up – arm isolation, high hips, optimal angle. Technical manual in real time.
Welterweight Final – Andrew Tackett vs Andy Varela
The fight we were all waiting for. Tackett, 22 years old, the Texan BJJ prodigy, facing the whimsical Andy Varela. Two Team Gabriel members, two visions of the game.
Opposite profiles: Andrew represents the new generation – athletic, methodical, trained with pure competition in mind. Andy embodies the creative old school, unpredictable, always searching for the spectacular move.
Andrew left no chance. In a few sequences, he takes the back and finishes with a modified rear naked choke: a submission as aesthetic as it is effective.
“I mean I’ve been watching UFC since I was like three four and the fact that I get to be out here winning the very first UFC BJJ belt is just surreal to me…” — Andrew Tackett
Swift victory and total domination: Tackett confirms his phenomenon status.
Why this victory matters: At 22 years old, Andrew becomes the youngest UFC BJJ champion in history. His modern style and media potential make him the future star of the discipline.
Bantamweight Final – Mikey Musumeci vs Harrison Gabriel
It was the cherry on top: two pure technicians, two visions of modern play. Mikey, recognized master of technique, facing Harrison Gabriel, formidable specialist with multiple facets.
Clash of styles: Musumeci bets everything on his surgical leg game and tactical reading. Gabriel responds with a more versatile game, seeking to impose his rhythm and physical pressure.
Mikey imposes his jiu-jitsu without compromise: heel hooks, knee bars, constant threats on the legs. Harrison resists valiantly for two rounds, before giving in the third to a surgical twist.
“I’m just so happy. Harrison’s such a tough opponent and I had to push really hard to get this win… Looking back into history this is UFC BJJ 1 you know like Royce Gracie time and I was the first main event on this card. It’s just such an honor.” — Mikey Musumeci
Musumeci becomes bantamweight champion, and proves that pure technique remains queen.
Dream team in his corner: Mikey was accompanied by two absolute legends – Cobrinha (6x BJJ world champion) and Gilbert Burns (UFC top contender). Elite coaching for a master performance.
The Bowl and Rules: Successful Bet?
If these fights were so spectacular, it’s no coincidence. The format has a lot to do with it.
No more mat exits. The “Bowl”, curved surface, offered continuous action. No room for stalling.
Technical innovation: This revolutionary arena forces engagement. Fighters can no longer play for time on the periphery. Result? More intense exchanges and unprecedented positions linked to the curvature.
Add to that a point system centered on aggression (submission attempts > control > activity), and you have the perfect recipe for dynamic and readable fights.
The psychological effect: Several athletes admitted that the Bowl modified their tactical approach. No more stalling – you must constantly create, advance, threaten.
UFC BJJ succeeded in imposing a new standard of spectacle, without sacrificing technical depth.
The Aftermath – What This Evening Changed
- BJJ enters the UFC sphere completely.
- Stars were born in the eyes of the general public: Carlos, Tackett, Varela…
- The format proved it was viable and captivating.
Three other events are planned for 2025 (July 31, October 2, December 11). And Tackett could defend his belt very soon, against Renato Canuto – the two men even had a face-off right after the fight!
The buzzing face-off: Seeing Canuto directly challenge the new champion in the octagon was a moment of pure spectacle. This confrontation already makes fans salivate for the next event!
Mackenzie Dern in the stands: Impossible not to notice the presence of the former UFC champion and multiple BJJ world champion in the audience… Maybe we could hope to see her participate one day?
Professional grappling is launched!
What’s Next?
At BJJ-Rules, we’ll of course cover every new event, every announcement, every upcoming fight. The appointment is already set for July!
We hope to have new teasers about the casting, we navigate among absolutely incredible rumors (Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan as coaches… that would be absolutely legendary, and probably the best possible face-off? Although Ryan vs Galvao would be equally incredible…) but it seems extremely unlikely unfortunately!
Professional jiu-jitsu is just beginning… We now await the surprises!
Conclusion – A New Era
This first edition kept all its promises: spectacular fights, familiar faces and new names to follow, an innovative format respectful of BJJ roots.
Carlos Henrique, Andrew Tackett and Mikey Musumeci are the first UFC BJJ champions. Not just winners: pioneers.
The event proves you can modernize without denaturing, spectacularize without vulgarizing.
UFC BJJ 1 will remain in history as the day jiu-jitsu found its place for the general public, in modern professional sport!
The verdict: Mission accomplished. BJJ now has its global showcase, its stars, and above all, plenty of promises!
Jiu-jitsu just took a step forward. And at BJJ-Rules, we’ll be there to tell the rest!
➡️ Find all our previous articles on the Road to the Title series in the UFC BJJ section on BJJ-Rules.com
