Musumeci’s belt goes to Filipino champ, UFC BJJ changes rules after Nicky Rod controversy | UFC BJJ 13

· Yahoo Sports

Mikey Musumeci’s UFC BJJ belt now belongs to his Filipino teammate.

After relinquishing the title and seemingly ending his serious grappling career, the bantamweight belt was up for grabs at UFC BJJ 13. Two-time IBJJF world champion Jalen Fonacier avenged old losses to longtime rival Kleber Barboza in the gi, and won at a much bigger stage. He looked to be one-step ahead during the technical exchanges, and had multiple leg attacks that kept Barboza on the defensive for majority of the contest. After taking a well deserved decision, Fonacier now holds the UFC BJJ bantamweight title long held by his teammate, and also became the promotion’s first Filipino champion.

Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.

In the main event, William Tackett vs. Jay Rodgriguez was billed as an all-action affair, and while it didn’t last very long, it definitely delivered on its promise. After frantic wrestling scrambles early, Tackett countered with a slick back take and immediately sunk in a rear naked choke to force “Jay Rod” to tap. William was victorious in his second shot at a UFC BJJ belt and now joins his brother Andrew Tackett as sibling champions at middleweight and welterweight.

Nick Rodriguez dominates, UFC BJJ changes rules to ban draws in title bouts

Outside of the two title bouts, Nick Rodriguez was also one of the standouts at UFC BJJ 13.

“Nicky Rod,” who won two $1 million dollar tournaments at CJI, secured another submission win at UFC BJJ. He dominated recent IBJJF Pan Champ Nata Tenca from top position for almost three rounds, before finishing with an arm-triangle choke in the final stanza.

View this post on Instagram

The victory sets him up for a potential title rematch with Mason Fowler, after the pair went to a controversial draw last September. UFC BJJ also announced rule changes for title bouts, likely stemming from that very match up.

As announced during the broadcast, UFC BJJ title bouts can no longer end in a draw. If after three rounds, scorecards end up even, there will be a short, three-minute overtime period to determine a winner.

Rodriguez now has two wins and two draws with UFC BJJ in 2026.

ADCC champs Ffion Davies, Jasmine Rocha land submissions at UFC BJJ 13

Two female ADCC champions also picked up submission wins at UFC BJJ 13. Reigning ADCC champion Jasmine Rocha officially won by armbar, but it wasn’t without controversy as Karen Atunes looked to have pulled a “Brazilian tap.” She complained saying she didn’t actually tap to the submission, but the referee upheld Rocha’s win.

After the victory, the ADCC 2026 champion at 55 kg called for UFC BJJ to open up a strawweight division and give her a title bout.

Former ADCC champ Ffion Davies made her bout look easy, as she quickly pulled guard, swept and submitted Jaine Fragoso by arm triangle very early in the first round. This marks her second straight victory with UFC BJJ, as she makes her case for a title rematch against the newly crowned two-division queen Cassia Moura.

Check here for full results and more highlights from UFC BJJ 13.

FOR THE LATEST BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ) AND GRAPPLING-RELATED NEWS CLICK HERE. FOR ADDITIONAL GRAPPLING CONTENT, FOLLOW @BJJBEAT ON INSTAGRAM.

Read full story at source