Today’s Top BJJ News — August 23, 2026

#1

UFC BJJ’s First Open Draws 1,344 Athletes—Mostly for Gi Competition

UFC BJJ’s inaugural Open began August 22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the gi divisions accounting for 71 percent of registered entries. The event reportedly attracted 1,344 unique athletes and 1,938 total entries, including 594 competitors who entered both gi and no-gi divisions. ^[34]

Why it matters: UFC BJJ has built its professional identity around no-gi submission grappling, but its first grassroots tournament is revealing strong demand for traditional gi competition. The numbers also suggest the promotion may be positioning itself as a direct competitor to IBJJF at the youth and amateur levels. ^[41]

Social hook: UFC BJJ wanted a no-gi pipeline—but the athletes showed up for the gi.

#2

Andrew Tackett Defends UFC BJJ Welterweight Title With First-Round Finish

Andrew Tackett retained the UFC BJJ welterweight championship at UFC BJJ 10 on August 20, submitting Jonnatas Gracie by face crank in the opening round at 1:44. The result marked Tackett’s fourth successful title defense, according to post-event reporting. ^[102]

Why it matters: Tackett remains the promotion’s clearest championship anchor and strengthened his position as one of submission grappling’s most marketable young stars. After the win, he also called for matchups involving leading MMA and grappling names, including the future ADCC 77-kilogram champion. ^[103]

Social hook: Four title defenses—and Tackett needed less than two minutes to make the statement.

#3

Brianna Ste-Marie Dethrones Rebeca Lima to Win UFC BJJ Featherweight Gold

Brianna Ste-Marie defeated reigning champion Rebeca Lima by arm-triangle choke in the second round of UFC BJJ 10, ending Lima’s title reign and capturing the women’s featherweight championship. The Canadian newcomer survived early leg-lock pressure before finishing from mount at 1:57 of Round 2. ^[103]

Why it matters: Ste-Marie immediately becomes one of UFC BJJ’s most important women’s champions, bringing established international credentials and a high-profile submission win into the promotion’s growing title picture.

Social hook: Ste-Marie survived the leg attacks, climbed to mount, and left UFC BJJ 10 as champion.

#4

Cássia Moura Advances Toward a Second UFC BJJ Championship</

Sources

1. https://thejiujitsumindset.com/blogs/news/jiu-jitsu-weekly-august-16-2026
2. https://www.onefc.com/news/four-blockbuster-mma-and-submission-grappling-bouts-booked-for-one-fight-night-47/
3. https://www.bjjcompass.com/
4. https://us.ufcespanol.com/news/ufc-bjj-10-tackett-vs-gracie-results
5. https://www.flograppling.com/
6. https://thejiujitsumindset.com/blogs/news
7. https://www.bjj-radar.com/
8. https://www.mmamania.com/bjj-news/459197/adcc-2026-loses-double-champ-to-ufc-bjj-fugitive-izaak-michell-also-removed
9. https://www.bjjnews.com/
10. https://www.bjjwatchlist.app/
11. https://letsroll.co/tournaments/month/2026-08
12. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/whats-streaming-week-flograppling-august-100145369.html
13. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1v0b6js/is_adcc_losing_its_dominance_on_the_professional/
14. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1uvctzu/expect_more_athletes_to_drop_out_of_adcc_in/
15. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1vvczsq/what_we_learned_from_ufc_bjj_10/
16. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1u4ci2b/what_happened_to_the_good_events/
17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_BJJ
18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_BJJ_5
19. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1kwiook
20. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1tfpx1d/will_this_be_the_last_great_adcc_tournament/