Musumeci Secures Bantamweight Defense, Souza Retains Middleweight Title at UFC BJJ 5 in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – Mikey Musumeci solidified his dominance in the bantamweight division, successfully defending his UFC BJJ title against challenger Shay Montague at UFC BJJ 5. The event, held at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Thursday night, also saw Ronaldo Souza Junior retain his middleweight championship in a hard-fought co-main event. The evening delivered a series of high-stakes grappling encounters, streamed free to a global audience, underscoring UFC BJJ’s commitment to showcasing elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talent under the UFC banner.

Mikey Musumeci, known widely in the grappling community as "Darth Rigatoni," entered the cage with an unblemished 2-0 record in UFC BJJ competition, seeking his second defense of the bantamweight strap. His opponent, Shay Montague, made his promotional debut, presenting a fresh challenge to the reigning champion’s established reign. Musumeci, a multi-time IBJJF World Champion and ADCC medalist, is renowned for his intricate leg lock entries, relentless pressure, and unparalleled technical precision, particularly from bottom positions. His prior victories in the promotion had firmly established him as the benchmark in the 135-pound division, and expectations were high for another display of his signature style. Montague, while a newcomer to the UFC BJJ stage, arrived with a reputation from other competitive circuits, known for his dynamic approach and submission-hunting tendencies, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles.

The main event unfolded with a tactical start, as both grapplers probed for openings. Musumeci, operating with his characteristic calm, systematically worked to control the distance and initiate his preferred sequences. Montague, meanwhile, displayed resilience and strategic defensive maneuvers, aiming to disrupt Musumeci’s rhythm and create opportunities for his own offense. As the second round progressed, Musumeci’s persistent pressure and technical superiority began to yield results. He successfully transitioned into a dominant position, isolating Montague’s leg with surgical precision. Executing a highly technical foot lock, Musumeci forced the tap in the second round, securing a decisive submission victory. The win not only marked his third consecutive triumph in UFC BJJ but also underscored his status as one of the most dominant submission grapplers in the world, reaffirming his hold on the UFC BJJ bantamweight championship. His ability to finish high-level opponents with sophisticated leg entanglements continues to be a hallmark of his performances.

In the co-main event, the UFC BJJ middleweight title was on the line as inaugural champion Ronaldo Souza Junior faced off against Tarik Hopstock. Souza Junior, who claimed the 185-pound championship in December with a unanimous decision victory over William Tackett, brought a powerful, submission-oriented game to the cage. The son of legendary MMA fighter and grappler Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Souza Junior has quickly forged his own path in the grappling world, demonstrating a blend of top control, aggressive passing, and potent submission attacks reminiscent of his father’s early career. His title-winning performance against Tackett highlighted his ability to control elite opponents and dictate the pace of a championship bout.

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Challenging Souza Junior was Tarik Hopstock, a world champion grappler from Norway, also making his UFC BJJ debut. Hopstock arrived with a strong competitive pedigree, known for his technical prowess and diverse submission arsenal, particularly in no-gi environments. His entry into the UFC BJJ middleweight division was seen as a significant test for the young champion, offering a fresh stylistic matchup against an international talent. The co-main event was a strategic battle, characterized by intense exchanges and a high level of technical grappling. Souza Junior demonstrated excellent control and defensive awareness, thwarting Hopstock’s attempts to initiate his offense while consistently working to establish his own dominant positions. Hopstock, for his part, showed flashes of brilliance, attempting to create scrambles and openings, but ultimately struggled to break through Souza Junior’s solid base and formidable defense. After the full duration of the championship rounds, the judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of Ronaldo Souza Junior, who successfully defended his UFC BJJ middleweight championship. The victory further cemented his position as the division’s top contender and added another significant win to his burgeoning professional grappling record.

The undercard delivered several notable performances and high-level matchups, contributing to a dynamic night of grappling action.

Nicholas Meregali, a prominent figure in the professional grappling circuit and a multi-time world champion, secured a unanimous decision victory over Nicholas Maglicic. Meregali’s performance was characterized by his signature heavy pressure and superior positional control, systematically breaking down his opponent’s defense over the course of the match. His ability to dictate the pace and secure dominant positions proved too much for Maglicic, leading to a clear decision on the judges’ scorecards.

Andy Murasaki showcased his submission acumen with a rapid finish, defeating Andy Varela via armbar in the first round. Murasaki, known for his fluid transitions and sharp attacking game, wasted no time in engaging Varela. He expertly navigated to a control position, swiftly isolating an arm and applying the armbar for a decisive tap, demonstrating his efficiency and finishing instinct.

In the women’s division, Rebeca Lima delivered a compelling performance, submitting Taylor Hishaw via ankle lock in the second round. Lima displayed a strong understanding of leg entanglements, patiently working to expose Hishaw’s foot. Her persistence paid off in the second frame, where she secured the ankle lock, forcing the submission and adding a significant victory to her record.

Jonnatas Gracie, another competitor with a storied family name in Jiu-Jitsu, earned a unanimous decision victory over Yan Lucas. Gracie’s match was a tactical affair, where he utilized strong positional play and effective guard retention to neutralize Lucas’s offense and accumulate control time. His disciplined approach and superior technique ultimately swayed the judges in his favor.

Rerisson Gabriel also secured a unanimous decision, defeating Landon Elmore. The contest was a display of consistent effort and strategic positioning from Gabriel, who managed to control key exchanges and maintain an advantage throughout the bout, preventing Elmore from mounting sustained attacks.

In another women’s bout, Carol Brunacio emerged victorious over Mona Bailey via unanimous decision. Brunacio’s performance was marked by her ability to impose her game plan and maintain control, effectively shutting down Bailey’s attempts to gain an offensive foothold.

Kicking off the main card with an explosive finish, Jalen Fonacier defeated Carlos Oliveira via an inside heel hook in the first round. Fonacier demonstrated immediate aggression and technical proficiency, swiftly entering a leg entanglement and applying the dangerous inside heel hook. The submission came quickly, highlighting Fonacier’s submission-first mentality and setting a high bar for the rest of the evening’s card.

UFC BJJ 5 underscored the promotion’s role in elevating professional grappling, bringing high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to a broader audience through accessible platforms. The event, featuring two significant title defenses and a strong undercard, showcased a mix of established champions and rising talents, contributing to the sport’s growing visibility and competitive landscape. The successful defenses by Musumeci and Souza Junior further cement their positions at the pinnacle of their respective divisions, setting the stage for future challenges and continued evolution within the UFC BJJ framework.

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