In a night that underscored the growing grip of UFC on the grappling world, Mikey Musumeci defended his bantamweight championship at UFC BJJ 3 with a performance that felt both inevitable and electrifying. The event, held Thursday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, drew eyes from MMA and jiu-jitsu circles alike, as Musumeci faced challenger Keven Carrasco in the main event. From the opening exchanges, Musumeci's technical prowess shone through, chaining submissions with the precision that's made him a standout. He locked in his signature move—what he's dubbed the "Mikey lock"—after just minutes into the bout, forcing a tap at 1:12 of the third round. It was a reminder of why he's often called the hardest working man in BJJ, blending relentless pressure with that almost playful flair.
However, the fight wasn't without its tense moments. Carrasco, a rising star from the submission grappling scene, pushed back early, testing Musumeci's guard with aggressive passes. Yet, the champion's transitions proved too slick, turning defense into offense in ways that left commentators nodding in quiet approval. Indeed, Musumeci's win marks his second successful defense since capturing the inaugural title against Rerisson Gabriel back in June. At 28, he's already amassed a record that's hard to ignore: multiple Performance of the Night awards and a string of seven submission victories in high-stakes matches.
The co-main event added to the night's momentum, with Carlos Henrique retaining the lightweight crown against Matheus Gabriel via decision after a grueling five-round affair. Henrique's control from top position highlighted the depth of talent UFC is scouting for these pure grappling showcases. Overall, UFC BJJ 3 featured eight bouts, blending veterans and prospects in a format that's drawing comparisons to the early days of UFC's MMA expansion. Musumeci, ever the showman with his "Darth Rigatoni" persona, even channeled a bit of Karate Kid nostalgia in his post-fight breakdown, crediting old-school techniques for the quick finish.
Still, as UFC ramps up these events—now streaming free on YouTube and Fight Pass—one can't help but wonder how this influx of mainstream attention will reshape the often insular world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.