Tackett Retains Welterweight Gold Amidst Inaugural Title Fights at UFC BJJ 4

Las Vegas, Nev. – The UFC APEX played host to UFC BJJ 4 on Thursday night, an event that saw Andrew Tackett successfully defend his welterweight title and two new champions crowned in a night of high-stakes submission grappling. The card, featuring a blend of established veterans and promising contenders, underscored the UFC’s continued investment in the burgeoning professional grappling scene.

In the highly anticipated main event, Andrew Tackett, maintaining his undefeated record within the UFC BJJ promotion, put his welterweight championship on the line against Elijah Dorsey. Tackett, arriving with a dominant 4-0 record, faced a formidable challenge in Dorsey, who made his promotional debut under the bright lights of the UFC APEX. The bout, contested under a submission-only ruleset, promised a clash of styles between Tackett’s relentless pressure and Dorsey’s tactical acumen.

From the opening bell, Andrew Tackett, representing the prominent Tackett family grappling lineage, sought to impose his will. Known for his aggressive, submission-hunting style and suffocating top control, Tackett immediately worked to close the distance, looking for an early takedown. Dorsey, however, demonstrated a composed defense, initially thwarting Tackett’s attempts and utilizing agile footwork to create space. The first five minutes saw a tactical exchange, with Tackett pressing forward and Dorsey responding with well-timed guard pulls and sweeps that prevented Tackett from establishing dominant positions.

As the match progressed into the mid-rounds, Tackett intensified his pace. After a scramble that saw both grapplers vying for superior position, Tackett managed to secure a single-leg takedown, transitioning swiftly into side control. From this vantage, he began to work for submissions, attempting a series of arm triangles and kimuras. Dorsey, demonstrating impressive flexibility and submission defense, managed to escape the initial onslaught. However, Tackett’s relentless pressure eventually paid dividends. In the final minutes of the regulation period, Tackett secured a deep rear-naked choke from the back, sinking the submission with less than two minutes remaining. Dorsey fought valiantly but was ultimately forced to tap at 8:47 of the main event, marking Andrew Tackett’s first successful title defense and extending his undefeated UFC BJJ record to 5-0. The victory solidified Tackett’s position as a dominant force in the welterweight division and further cemented the Tackett name in professional grappling.

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The co-main event featured another member of the esteemed Tackett family, William Tackett, who squared off against Ronaldo Junior for the inaugural UFC BJJ middleweight title. This bout carried significant weight, establishing the first champion in the division. William Tackett, celebrated for his dynamic guard play and intricate leg lock attacks, entered the contest as a favorite, but Ronaldo Junior, a powerful athlete known for his aggressive passing and strong top game, presented a significant stylistic challenge.

The middleweight title clash began with both competitors seeking to establish their preferred range. William Tackett quickly pulled guard, initiating his offensive from the bottom, targeting Junior’s legs. Junior, aware of Tackett’s renowned leg lock prowess, maintained a cautious posture, defending against entries while attempting to pass Tackett’s flexible guard. The first half of the match was a tense strategic battle, with Tackett creating several close calls with heel hook attempts and Junior narrowly escaping. However, Junior’s powerful base and heavy pressure eventually began to wear on Tackett. Around the seven-minute mark, Junior capitalized on a momentary lapse in Tackett’s guard retention, exploding into a knee-on-belly position. From there, he transitioned to an arm-triangle choke setup. While Tackett defended the initial attempt, Junior adjusted, flattening Tackett out and tightening the squeeze. William Tackett, demonstrating resilience, fought the hold for nearly a minute before succumbing to the pressure, tapping out at 9:12. Ronaldo Junior was declared the inaugural UFC BJJ middleweight champion, marking a significant milestone in his career and for the promotion’s new division. His victory highlighted the effectiveness of a powerful, pressure-based grappling style against a technically brilliant guard player.

Earlier in the main card, the UFC BJJ featherweight title was also contested for the first time, pitting Raquel Canuto against Aurelie Le Vern. Canuto, a veteran of the grappling circuit with a strong track record and diverse skill set, brought extensive experience to the cage. Le Vern, a rising talent known for her athleticism and submission finishes, sought to make a definitive statement in her first major title opportunity.

The featherweight championship match was a back-and-forth affair, showcasing the high-level technical proficiency of both women. Canuto initiated with strong judo throws, looking to secure an early takedown, but Le Vern displayed excellent balance and takedown defense. The bout predominantly unfolded on the ground after Le Vern pulled guard, where she demonstrated active offensive guard play, constantly threatening with sweeps and armbar attempts. Canuto, from the top, displayed masterful posture control and methodical passing, slowly but surely chipping away at Le Vern’s defenses. After a protracted struggle in the guard, Canuto managed to pass into half-guard and then side control in the latter half of the bout. From side control, she secured a tight arm-triangle choke. Le Vern defended admirably, creating space, but Canuto remained committed, transitioning to mount and reapplying the choke with full force. Le Vern, unable to escape, tapped out at 10:05, making Raquel Canuto the inaugural UFC BJJ featherweight champion. The victory was a testament to Canuto’s veteran savvy and technical precision, adding another significant title to her illustrious grappling career.

The main card commenced with a series of compelling matchups that set the tone for the championship bouts. Mayssa Bastos, a celebrated name in the lighter weight classes, faced Amanda Alequin in a highly anticipated strawweight clash. Bastos, renowned for her intricate guard and back attacks, put on a dominant display, securing a masterful armbar from guard at 4:18 of the bout. Her victory underscored her continued dominance in the sub-115lb grappling scene.

Next, Renato Canuto, a dynamic and explosive grappler, took on Alan Sanchez. Canuto, known for his fast-paced, high-action style, delivered an electrifying performance. After a series of rapid exchanges, Canuto secured a well-executed arm-in guillotine choke, forcing Sanchez to tap at 6:01. His quick finish was a highlight of the preliminary main card.

Samuel Nagai then met Dorian Olivarez in a technical affair. Nagai, with his methodical approach and strong positional control, systematically broke down Olivarez’s defenses. He ultimately secured a submission via a bow and arrow choke at 7:35, showcasing his patience and precision.

Andy Varela and Robby Malof delivered a gritty, back-and-forth battle. Both grapplers exhibited strong wrestling foundations and relentless pressure. After a grueling contest that saw multiple positional changes, Varela managed to secure a deep heel hook in the final minutes, forcing Malof to tap at 9:02, marking a hard-earned victory.

In a highly anticipated women’s bantamweight bout, Bella Mir, a promising talent with a strong athletic background, faced Rana Willink. Mir, showcasing her rapidly developing grappling skills, utilized strong top pressure and ground and pound threats to open up submission opportunities. She secured a dominant position late in the round and finished the fight with a rear-naked choke at 7:58, signaling her potential as a future star in the division.

Landon Elmore and Nate Hernandez engaged in a fast-paced light heavyweight contest. Elmore, known for his powerful takedowns and heavy top game, quickly took the fight to the mat. After a series of dominant positions, he secured a kimura submission at 5:23, displaying impressive strength and technique.

Finally, opening the main card, Lucas Pinheiro faced the seasoned mixed martial arts veteran Jussier Formiga in a flyweight grappling match. Pinheiro, a highly regarded jiu-jitsu competitor, demonstrated superior grappling acumen throughout the contest. He navigated Formiga’s defensive posture, eventually securing an armbar from a mounted position at 6:49. Formiga, primarily an MMA fighter, showed resilience but was ultimately outmaneuvered by the specialist grappler.

UFC BJJ 4 marked a significant event in the professional grappling landscape. The presence of the UFC brand continues to elevate the sport, providing a prominent platform for athletes to showcase their skills in the high-performance environment of the UFC APEX. The event not only crowned two inaugural champions but also saw an established champion defend his title, further solidifying the competitive integrity of the promotion. The card delivered a mix of quick finishes and strategic battles, highlighting the diverse skill sets present in modern submission grappling. The success of UFC BJJ 4 suggests a bright future for the promotion as it continues to expand its roster and build upon its growing reputation in the combat sports world. Further announcements regarding the next installment of UFC BJJ are anticipated as the promotion seeks to capitalize on the momentum generated by this event.