In a display that felt almost too effortless, Mikey Musumeci defended his bantamweight title at UFC BJJ 3 on Thursday night, tapping out challenger Keven Carrasco in under three minutes. The event, held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, drew a packed virtual audience via YouTube and UFC Fight Pass, underscoring the growing buzz around this new grappling venture. Musumeci, the 28-year-old phenom known for his unyielding guard work, locked in his signature "Mikey lock"—a heel hook variation that has become his calling card—after a scramble that evoked scenes from The Karate Kid. Indeed, his transitions were seamless, leaving Carrasco little room to counter.
The co-main event saw Carlos Henrique hold onto the lightweight strap against Matheus Gabriel, another decision that reinforced the champions' grip on their divisions. Henrique's path to victory involved relentless pressure from top position, grinding out points in a match that tested endurance more than flash. UFC BJJ 3 featured a solid undercard too, with standouts like Andy Varela edging Daniel Sathler in middleweight action. Yet, it was Musumeci's performance that stole the show, his third-round submission at 1:12 marking yet another notch in a career already laden with accolades from ONE Championship and IBJJF worlds.
Musumeci's dominance isn't surprising, given his record: seven submission wins in ONE, multiple performance bonuses, and now inaugural UFC BJJ gold from June's event against Rerisson Gabriel. However, critics might whisper that the matchmaking favors his style—precise, chain-oriented submissions against aggressive foes. Still, at UFC BJJ 3, he adapted fluidly, turning defense into offense with a heel hook that ended matters abruptly. The promotion's push into pure grappling continues to evolve, blending MMA's spectacle with jiu-jitsu's purity.
Moreover, this win keeps Musumeci's eyes on broader horizons, including potential MMA forays. As UFC integrates BJJ deeper into its ecosystem, events like this one highlight the sport's technical depth. But one has to wonder: will the influx of big names dilute the grassroots essence, or elevate it entirely?