Today’s Top BJJ News — August 21, 2026

Daily BJJ News Briefing

August 21, 2026 · Updated 10:01 PM -07:00

Andrew Tackett Defends UFC BJJ Welterweight Title, Calls Out Paddy Pimblett

Andrew Tackett submitted Jonnatas Gracie with a rear-naked choke in the first round of UFC BJJ 10 on August 20, preserving his undefeated 7-0 record and successfully defending the welterweight championship for the fourth time. After the win, Tackett called out UFC fighters including Paddy Pimblett and Sean Brady, while also mentioning potential matchups with Jozef Chen, Mica Galvao and Kade Ruotolo. ^[45]

Why it matters: Tackett remains the central competitive star of UFC BJJ, and his crossover callouts could push the promotion further toward high-profile MMA-versus-specialist grappling matchups.

Brianna Ste-Marie Wins UFC BJJ Featherweight Championship

Brianna Ste-Marie submitted Rebeca Lima with an arm-triangle choke in the second round of UFC BJJ 10 to become the promotion’s new women’s featherweight champion. The victory came in Ste-Marie’s UFC BJJ debut and ended Lima’s reign in one of the event’s two title bouts. ^[45]

Why it matters: Ste-Marie immediately becomes one of UFC BJJ’s most marketable women’s champions, while the result reshapes a division that already includes several established international contenders.

Adele Fornarino and Cassia Moura Advance to UFC BJJ Flyweight Grand Prix Final

Two-time ADCC champion Adele Fornarino submitted Carol Brunacio by foot lock, while reigning UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Cassia Moura defeated Bre Stikk by armbar in the semifinals of the women’s flyweight tournament. The results set up Fornarino versus Moura for the inaugural UFC BJJ women’s flyweight championship. ^[46]

Why it matters: The final places an ADCC double champion against an active UFC BJJ titleholder, creating one of the strongest stylistic and résumé-based matchups in the promotion’s short history.

UFC BJJ 10 Delivers New Venue Presentation and Multiple Submission Finishes

UFC BJJ 10 was staged at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on August 20 with a redesigned, smaller “Bowl” competition surface. The card featured submissions from Andrew Tackett, Brianna Ste-Marie, Adele Fornarino, Cassia Moura, William Tackett and Vagner Rocha, although the unusual surface and physical exchanges also drew repeated instructions from referee Jason Herzog to keep the action within jiu-jitsu’s rules and expectations. ^[45]

Why it matters: UFC BJJ is continuing to experiment with presentation and venue design as it establishes its identity, but the format will remain under scrutiny if the environment encourages boundary-heavy or overly physical exchanges.

Editor’s Notes

The strongest verified developments located in the August 20–22, 2026 window centered on UFC BJJ 10, which took place on August 20 and was reported on August 21. Official UFC reporting confirms the principal results; the Tackett callouts and some event-presentation details are corroborated by secondary coverage and UFC BJJ social posts. No material verification warnings were identified for the four selected stories.