Two semifinals, two philosophies. When pure jiu-jitsu flirts with show strategy.
Keywords: UFC BJJ Road to the Title episode 7, Andrew Tackett, Jason Nolf, Danilo Moreira, Kyvann Gonzalez, semifinals, Elijah Carlton injury, submission, Team Musumeci, Team Gabriel.
The Episode of Contrasts
An episode without presentations or weigh-ins, going straight to the point: pure jiu-jitsu takes center stage. Two explosive but stylistically opposite semifinals. Andrew Tackett delivers a finish as lightning-fast as it is spectacular, while Danilo Moreira wins in what may be one of the most beautiful technical battles of the season. UFC BJJ Road to the Title episode 7 crystallizes the eternal debate: spectacle or pure technique?
Elijah Carlton’s Withdrawal Shakes Up the Tournament
The episode opens with a powerful moment: Elijah Carlton, qualified after his victory against Jason Nolf, is forced to withdraw. An arm injury, sustained at the end of his previous fight, prevents him from continuing.
“All the pain’s like right here and I can feel it going up into my shoulder… I can’t really lift my shoulder well and I can’t bend my elbow very well.”
The examination by Dr. Lucius Pomerantz, UFC physician, confirms the impossibility to compete. The decision is made: Elijah leaves the tournament, not without emotion. But in true martial spirit, he encourages his former opponent:
“You’ll get it. You’ll beat Andrew.”
Jason Nolf: The Unexpected Second Chance
And so Jason Nolf re-enters the competition. An unexpected second chance, which he welcomes with gratitude:
“I’m super grateful for the second opportunity. Not everybody gets two chances to become UFC BJJ champion.”
🏅 Andrew Tackett vs Jason Nolf: A Moment of Technical Grace
Jason finds himself facing Andrew Tackett, tournament favorite. The duel promises to be tactical: Mikey Musumeci briefs Jason on Andrew’s “flying submissions,” while Gabriel encourages his protégé to “chase the back.”
Opposing Strategies: Wrestling vs Flying Submissions
Team Musumeci Plan: Use Jason’s superior wrestling, avoid Andrew’s dangerous transitions.
Team Gabriel Plan: Exploit Andrew’s unpredictability, seek submissions in chaos.
“Be careful of crazy flying things that Andrew could do because Andrew could just do flying submissions from anywhere.” – Mikey Musumeci
The Fight: Style Clash and Brutal Finish
The fight starts standing, tense. Jason imposes aggressive hand fighting with effective snap downs, but Andrew finds an opening on Jason’s wrestling-style takedown attempt, a “fireman’s carry” from wrestling. He takes the back and finishes with a rear naked choke.
We barely have time to blink during the very clean takedown attempt, when Andrew is already on the back – it’s simply magnificent reactivity and reflexes!
“He takes the back… and the win by neck choke too. It was an insane exchange between both of them.”
One moment of inattention, and it’s over. Andrew signs a second submission victory and advances to the welterweight final of UFC BJJ Road to the Title.
Here’s a tutorial of the technique attempted by Jason:
🔥 Danilo Moreira vs Kyvann Gonzalez: The Most Beautiful… but Least “TV-Friendly” Fight?
Two Team Musumeci members face off in the other semifinal: Danilo Moreira against Kyvann Gonzalez. No assigned coach this time, Mikey remains neutral:
“It’s a good bad problem I guess to have when all your athletes just close out a division and that I can’t be coaching either of them.”
BJJ in Its Purest Form
First round: A fluid, technical exchange without dead moments. Guard passes, inversions, perfect frames — a demonstration. It almost looks like a choreographed flow roll between two masters.
Second round: Same sustained tempo. Danilo maintains a slight technical advantage but Kyvann defends with intelligence and heart.
Third round: Danilo passes guard, locks in an ultra-tight darce choke… but Kyvann survives heroically. A defense that will be remembered.
“What an amazing match. And what heart Kyvann showed.”
Danilo Advances to Final: Technique vs Spectacle
No submission, but a fairly clear unanimous decision victory. Danilo becomes the first lightweight finalist of UFC BJJ Road to the Title.
“I didn’t get any submission. That’s going to haunt me for a little bit. But at the end of the day I very proud for myself I worked a lot for that.”
🔍 UFC BJJ Episode 7 Analysis: Two Visions of the Same Art
This episode of UFC BJJ Road to the Title embodies a striking contrast between two approaches to modern jiu-jitsu:
Tackett vs Nolf: The “Highlight” Effect
A quick, spectacular fight, tailored for the general public. Andrew Tackett proves you can combine technique and show. The submission comes out of nowhere, creating that “woah” moment that modern productions seek (but also fans, let’s be honest!).
Danilo vs Kyvann: Technical Mastery
A rich, deep fight, but demanding to follow for non-practitioners. Every movement has meaning, every transition is millimetered. It’s jiu-jitsu in its quintessence, but can we still captivate the audience without an explosive finish?
We witnessed a very (very) high-level chess match, where subtleties and details make the difference…
For BJJ-RULES, this is the most beautiful fight since the beginning of the season, by far! After watching this match, it only makes you want to go train to work on the fluidity of your game!
This is the dilemma of modern BJJ: preserving technical beauty while remaining accessible to the general public.
The Musumeci Style in the Spotlight
The episode highlights the Musumeci approach: rigor, fluidity, mutual respect. Kyvann and Danilo illustrate the vision of an artistic and benevolent jiu-jitsu. Even in fierce competition, technical elegance takes precedence over pure aggression.
🌟 Heading to the Finals: The Picture Becomes Clear
With these two semifinals of UFC BJJ Road to the Title episode 7, the final picture begins to take shape:
Confirmed Finalists
• Welterweight: Andrew Tackett (Team Gabriel) – The spectacular finisher
• Lightweight: Danilo Moreira (Team Musumeci) – The pure technician
Two styles, two philosophies, two representations of modern jiu-jitsu. The clash of cultures promises to be intense during the finals.
Episode 8 Teaser: The Final Cards
The last two semifinals promise to be decisive:
• Andy Varela vs Davis Asare – Battle for the second welterweight spot
• Isaac Doederlein vs Carlos Henrique – Duel for the lightweight final
The balance between teams remains fragile. Team Musumeci leads 1-0 in finalists, but Team Gabriel can still turn the tide.
See you for episode 8: the last semifinals that will determine the final cast of UFC BJJ Road to the Title!
Find all our UFC BJJ Road to the Title analyses on BJJ-Rules.com, and continue following the series with us, fight after fight.
