Welcome to the BJJ Beat! On this recurring feature, we’ll tackle the biggest news from the professional grappling scene, and roll everything up in an easily digestible and familiar jiu-jitsu format.
UFC BJJ 3 stacked with world champs, Jansen Gomes is the grappler to watch
While there was fair criticism made on the main event and how Mikey Musumeci still failing to get top ranked opposition, the rest of the UFC BJJ 3 card is filled with an insane amount of decorated BJJ champions.
Outside of Musumeci’s title defense against Keven Carrasco, there will also be a second title bout with Carlos Henrique defending his belt against a credentialed 3-time IBJJF world champion in Matheus Gabriel.
Three more bouts have since been added to complete the card, which involves five world champions. No gi world champ Kennedy Maciel takes on 2023 gi world champ Samuel Nagai in an excellent booking, while IBJJF Crown winner and no gi world champ Andy Murasaki faces Kris Olivo. The most intriguing signing though, involves two-time IBJJF world champion Jansen Gomes facing his longtime rival and fellow world champ Gustavo Batista.
Gomes and Batista are the number 1 and 2 ranked grapplers in the gi at super middleweight, respectively, and their pro no gi appearances are intriguing. Gomes in particular, is only 23, and the reigning world champion has a particularly aggressive and fun style that has the Ruotolos themselves joking that he’s the third Ruotolo brother. Gomes already has has wins over the top stars like Tye Ruotolo and Tainan Dalpra, so with his resume and grappling style, he has the potential to be one of the stars UFC BJJ can really get behind and build around as a title contender.
Before all of that can happen though, Gomes needs to beat a familiar foe in Gustavo Batista. Batista is ahead 3-2 in their rivalry, but those were in the gi, and Gomes has won two of their last three meetings.
Previously announced UFC BJJ 3 bouts also involve accomplished champs like PGF champ Andy Varela, no gi world champ Cassia Moura, Filipino-American world champs Alex Enriquez and Jalen Fonacier, and recent ADCC EMEA trials winner Ana Mayordomo.
The best thing about this stacked card, is that it will again be shown for free on YouTube.
October 2, 2025, UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- Mikey Musumeci vs. Keven Carrasco [UFC BJJ bantamweight title]
- Carlos Henrique vs. Matheus Gabriel [UFC BJJ lightweight title]
- Kennedy Maciel vs. Samuel Nagai
- Cassia Moura vs. Alex Enriquez
- Jansen Gomes vs. Gustavo Batista
- Kris Olivo vs. Andy Murasaki
- Andy Varela vs. Daniel Sathler
- Ana Mayordomo vs. Shye Lilly
- Jalen Fonacier vs. Pedro Nakano
Dana White announces 14 UFC BJJ events in 2026
Speaking of UFC BJJ, Dana White recently outlined their 2026 event plans now that they’ve signed with Paramount. According to the UFC CEO, they will be having 14 UFC BJJ events next year.
That total would more than double the UFC’s current grappling schedule, as 2025 will end up with a total of six BJJ events. They hosted two UFC Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI) events, before rebranding and having four more UFC BJJ events in 2025.
The final two upcoming events for 2025 are the aforementioned UFC BJJ 3 on October 2, and UFC BJJ 4 on December 11.
Photo by Kadir Caliskan – United World Wrestling/Getty Images
Helen Maroulis wins another wrestling world title 10 years later
While Helen Maroulis has recently been plying her trade in BJJ competitions, she has moved back to her roots and further added to her wrestling legacy. A decade after winning her first title, Maroulis has again won another world championship.
It’s not BJJ, but watch this gorgeous inside trip to seal the deal with mere seconds left on the clock.
Maroulis, an Olympic gold medalist in 2016, has now won her fourth world title. She has also won two blue belt tournaments in her young BJJ career, even pulling guard in her most recent appearance.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Polaris 34: Helena Crevar gets chance to avenge loss, become two-division champ
Soon after their entertaining event that saw Team Asia & Oceania beat Team South America, Polaris’ next event is already set with an excellent main event. Headlining Polaris 34 on November 1, 2025 is a bout between CJI champion Helena Crevar as she rematches Sula-Mae Loewenthal.
The pair met at a previous team battle at Polaris 32, with Loewenthal pulling off an upset win. Now Crevar and Loewenthal will face off for the featherweight title. Crevar, who currently holds the Polaris lightweight title, will not only have a chance to avenge a recent loss, she will also get a crack at being a two-division champion in the promotion.
Crevar, who is still just 18 years old, already holds several major pro BJJ titles in CJI, WNO, Polaris and others. She also took silver at ADCC 2024 at age 17.
CJI vet Max Gimenis signs with UFC
ADCC and CJI veteran Max Gimenis has signed with the UFC.
The IBJJF Pan champion still doesn’t have an opponent revealed, but he will be making his debut at a UFC Fight Night event on November 8, 2025.
Gimenis lost to eventual champion Nick Rodriguez at CJI 1. Despite balancing an MMA career, the ADCC veteran also had his most recent win in BJJ against a top caliber grappler in New Wave’s Dan Manasoiu.
In MMA, Gimenis has won four straight bouts and has a 6-1 record in the sport. Four of those six wins came via strikes, and one via arm triangle choke.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
To close things out, here are other interesting BJJ stories you might have missed:
- Did Gordon Ryan unintentionally snitched on Jon Jones? – The BJJ champ says he knows that top UFC stars that earn millions easily cheat USADA tests.
- Tsarukyan sleeps Bendo! – Arman Tsarukyan may not be very active in the UFC, but he did win a quality grappling match against Benson Henderson.
- Confusing accusations – Gable Steveson claims Craig Jones asked him to take a dive, while also contradicting himself?
- Bryce Mitchell easily subbed by teenager – The gap between really good grappler for MMA vs. actual BJJ prospect is massive!
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