40andFighting

Today’s Top BJJ News — September 28, 2026

Daily BJJ News Briefing

September 28, 2026 · Updated 8:00 AM -07:00

#1

IBJJF Revises 2026 Worlds Results After Rider Zuchi Anti-Doping Violation

The IBJJF has revised the 2026 World Championship podiums after Rider Zuchi accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping violation. Zuchi’s disqualification applies to IBJJF-sanctioned results dating back to August 23, 2024, affecting the adult black-belt heavyweight and male team standings. The federation said USADA conducted testing at the event. [85]

Why it matters: The decision materially changes a major world-championship record and is one of the most significant recent integrity developments in elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It also demonstrates that podiums, medals, points and prizes can be revised well after competition.

Social hook: “IBJJF just rewrote the 2026 Worlds podiums—here’s why Rider Zuchi’s suspension changes the results.”

#2

Mason Fowler Retains UFC BJJ Title After Split Draw With Nick Rodriguez

Mason Fowler retained the UFC BJJ light-heavyweight championship after judges ruled his UFC BJJ 11 title match with Nick Rodriguez a split draw. Rodriguez mounted a late offensive surge and nearly secured a choke, but Fowler survived and kept the belt. The September 24 bout continued to generate discussion through September 27 and 28 because of the disputed scoring and unusual ending. [86]

Why it matters: The result leaves the division without a definitive winner and creates an immediate case for a rematch. It also puts UFC BJJ’s round-based judging system under renewed scrutiny among grappling fans.

Social hook: “Nicky Rod thought he won the belt—but the judges gave Mason Fowler a split draw and the title stayed put.”

#3

Mikey Musumeci’s UFC BJJ Win Renews Focus on His MMA Transition

Mikey Musumeci defeated Bryce Mitchell by decision in the UFC BJJ 11 main event after surviving a major slam and controlling much of the technical grappling exchange. Coverage surrounding the bout has emphasized Musumeci’s stated ambition to transition toward MMA, while his post-fight UFC interview confirmed that the victory was part of a broader crossover storyline rather than a standard title defense. [86]

Why it matters: Musumeci remains one of UFC BJJ’s most recognizable champions, so a move toward MMA could significantly affect the promotion’s matchmaking and its effort to connect submission grappling with the wider UFC audience.

Social hook: “Mikey Musumeci won the grappling fight—now the bigger question is when he makes his MMA debut.”

#4

Polaris 39 and the Pan No-Gi Championship Headline This Week’s FloGrappling Schedule

FloGrappling’s September 28–October 4 schedule places the 2026 Pan IBJJF No-Gi Championship and Polaris 39 among the week’s main viewing priorities. The schedule lists the Pan No-Gi event for October 2 and Polaris 39 for October 3, with WN PRO following on October 4. [87]

Why it matters: The lineup gives the professional grappling audience a concentrated weekend of major competition immediately after the UFC BJJ 11 news cycle. Polaris 39, in particular, provides the week’s clearest high-profile submission-grappling event beyond UFC BJJ.

Social hook: “Three straight days of major grappling are coming: Pan No-Gi, Polaris 39 and WN PRO.”

Editor’s Notes

The strongest verified developments within the requested window were the IBJJF podium revision and continuing UFC BJJ 11 fallout. UFC BJJ 11 took place on September 24, 2026; its results were published by UFC on September 25, while additional analysis and reaction continued through September 27–28. No new, independently verified ADCC, ONE Championship submission-grappling, WNO match announcement, major injury, withdrawal or signing was identified in the focused search. Claims about Musumeci’s specific MMA debut date remain unverified and are not presented as confirmed.

Sources

  1. https://www.onefc.com/news/four-blockbuster-mma-and-submission-grappling-bouts-booked-for-one-fight-night-47/
  2. https://jiuflow.com/en/news/weekly-bjj-news-2026-09-28
  3. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-bjj-11-musumeci-vs-mitchell-results
  4. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/whats-streaming-flograppling-week-sept-155357801.html
  5. https://www.grapplinggames.org/
  6. https://buildmygame.app/news/
  7. https://www.flograppling.com/events/16081856-2026-elevate-submission-series-event-27/videos
  8. https://www.jiujitsumag.com/tag/news/
  9. https://www.flograppling.com/events?date=2026-09-01&facets=%7B%22Governing+Body%22%3A%5B%22Fight+To+Win%22%5D%7D
  10. https://www.flograppling.com/
  11. https://ibjjf.com/news/breaking-news-2026-world-championship-podium-updates
  12. https://jiujitsucentral.com/ufc-bjj-11-results-mikey-musumeci-clashes-with-bryce-mitchell/
  13. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wrb3j5/been_training_about_6_months_and_got_gold_at_my/
  14. https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/1wphgti/did_brazilian_jiujitsu_come_from_professional/
  15. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wfp6bo/spoiler_post_2026_adcc_thread/
  16. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wf0a2h/adcc_2026_day_2_live_thread/
  17. https://www.reddit.com/r/jiujitsu/comments/1w2qy2x/what_is_the_next_evolution_of_jiujitsu_i_dont/
  18. https://southeast.acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/seacsm-2025-program.pdf
  19. https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/1wman6p/removed/
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu