Mikey Musumeci re-entered the spotlight on Thursday night, successfully defending his UFC BJJ bantamweight championship against challenger Keven Carrasco. Known for his tactical prowess and skill, Musumeci quickly dispatched Carrasco, utilizing his signature move to secure victory. The four-time IBJJF world champion has remained undefeated since 2021, and this match showcased his dominance in the sport.
The match kicked off with Musumeci exhibiting his unique style, bouncing on one leg reminiscent of 'The Karate Kid'. He swiftly pulled guard, inviting Carrasco to engage on the ground. However, when Musumeci attempted a leg lock, Carrasco chose to stand back up, momentarily evading the champion's grasp. Yet, Musumeci was relentless; he captured Carrasco's leg again and executed the Mikey lock, forcing Carrasco to tap out in a display of technical excellence.
In the co-main event, Carlos Henrique made his first title defense of the lightweight belt against fellow Brazilian grappler Matheus Gabriel, a three-time IBJJF world champion. The match intensified when Henrique successfully escaped an early armbar attempt by Gabriel. From that point on, Henrique was in control, executing multiple heel hook attempts. Ultimately, he secured the victory by decision, solidifying his place in the lightweight division.
Following his victory, Henrique called out Samuel Nagai, the 2023 IBJJF world champion, who had just defeated Kennedy Maciel—son of legendary grappler Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”—in a closely contested match. The anticipation for a potential showdown between Henrique and Nagai is already building among fans and pundits alike.
One of the most anticipated matches of the night featured two-time IBJJF world champion Jansen Gomes against three-time IBJJF world gold medalist Gustavo Batista. Gomes tied his personal score against Batista after being down 2-3 in previous encounters. The match extended the full 15 minutes of no-gi grappling, culminating in Gomes receiving the unanimous decision victory, showcasing his resilience and skill.
The early portion of the card was marked by impressive first-round finishes. Jalen Fonacier and Ana Mayordomo both forced their opponents, Pedro Nakano and Shye Lilly, to tap out early in their respective matches. Additionally, Andy Murasaki and Andy Varela needed extra time to secure their wins, finishing Kris Olivio with a kimura and Daniel Sathler with a rear-naked choke, respectively.
Looking ahead, the promotion has announced that UFC BJJ 4 will take place on December 11 in Las Vegas, coinciding with the final UFC event of the year. Headlining the card will be Andrew Tackett, though his opponent has yet to be announced. Fans can also look forward to a match between Tackett's brother, William Tackett, and Ronaldo Junior, as well as a bout featuring Bella Mir, daughter of Frank Mir, against Rana Willink. Additionally, the matchup between Renato Canuto and Elijah Dorsey has been added to the lineup.
For detailed results and highlights of UFC BJJ 3, please click here.
