Tackett Defends Title at UFC BJJ 2, Fowler Crowned Champion

Competitors showcasing their skills at the UFC BJJ 2 event in Las Vegas.

News Summary

At UFC BJJ 2, Andrew Tackett successfully defended his welterweight title by submitting Renato Canuto. Mason Fowler became the inaugural light heavyweight champion by defeating David Garmo. The event showcased exceptional talent, with notable matches featuring William Tackett, Kennedy Maciel, and Auréllie Le Vern. The unique format of UFC BJJ continues to attract grappling enthusiasts, highlighting both established champions and rising stars in the sport.

Las Vegas, Nevada – Andrew Tackett successfully defended his UFC BJJ welterweight title and Mason Fowler was crowned the inaugural light heavyweight champion at the highly anticipated UFC BJJ 2 event held on June 26, 2025. The event attracted some of the top grapplers from around the world, following the success of its predecessor, UFC BJJ 1.

In the main event, Tackett showcased his grappling skills by submitting Renato Canuto, solidifying his position as the champion. Tackett’s encounter with Canuto was particularly intense, as Canuto had previously demonstrated his talent by executing a kneebar submission against an opponent earlier in the tournament.

The co-main event highlighted Fowler’s ground game, resulting in his victory over David Garmo via submission. Fowler’s achievement marks a significant milestone in UFC BJJ history, as he becomes the first-ever light heavyweight champion.

Other notable performances included William Tackett, who made an impressive debut in the middleweight division by securing a first-round submission against Kyle Chambers. Despite facing challenges due to Chambers’ lengthy reach, Tackett skillfully transitioned from an arm-triangle choke to a rear-naked choke, ultimately leading to his victory.

The event also featured a closely contested matchup between Kennedy Maciel and Ademir Barreto, both hailing from Brazil. Maciel narrowly won the decision after an exciting battle filled with leg lock attempts and tactical exchanges on the ground. His aggressive approach and persistent submission attempts impressed the judges, resulting in a unanimous decision in his favor.

Auréllie Le Vern made a notable debut at UFC BJJ, submitting the 2022 IBJJF European Open champion, Maggie Lira, in under a round. Le Vern’s victory came after relentlessly pressuring Lira and successfully executing an Americana submission.

Another highlight was Tammi Musumeci, a five-time IBJJF no-gi world champion, who navigated a tough match against Leilani Bernales. Musumeci’s ability to control the flow of the match and her numerous submission attempts led to a unanimous decision victory verified by the judges.

Young talent Jalen Fonancier, just 19 years old, marked a successful debut by defeating Everton Teixeira with a swift inside heel hook, demonstrating the rising talent within the UFC BJJ ranks.

The UFC BJJ event format diverges from traditional jiu-jitsu competitions, incorporating unique rules and scoring systems to enhance the grappling experience. This innovation has made UFC BJJ a notable event for fans of the sport, offering both championship matches and superfight showdowns that make the event diverse and engaging.

Overall, UFC BJJ 2 proved to be a remarkable exhibition of grappling talent, highlighting both seasoned fighters and emerging stars in the jiu-jitsu community. This event not only served as a platform for champions to defend their titles but also showcased the potential of new talent in the sport.