The UFC’s growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu platform returns tonight as UFC BJJ presents UFC BJJ 8 from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
The event features two bantamweight title fights, rising submission specialists, veteran grapplers, and several well-known names from the international No-Gi scene.
When Is UFC BJJ 8?
UFC BJJ 8 takes place on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The event begins at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT and streams live for free on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel. The event will also be available through UFC Fight Pass coverage.
Where Is UFC BJJ 8 Being Held?
UFC BJJ 8 takes place inside the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Location:
Meta APEX
6650 El Camino Road
Las Vegas, NV 89118
United States
Doors for the event are scheduled to open at 4 PM local time.
Mikey Musumeci Defends UFC BJJ Bantamweight Title
The main event sees reigning UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci defend his title against Kevin Dantzler in a three-round championship match at 135 pounds.
Musumeci has become one of the faces of modern grappling due to his technical style, submission ability, and success across major international tournaments. Across from him stands Dantzler, a dangerous challenger looking to pull off the biggest win of his career on one of the sport’s fastest-growing stages.
The matchup headlines a card loaded with experienced submission grapplers and rising prospects.
Cassia Moura vs Sabrina Gondim Co-Heads UFC BJJ 8
The co-main event features another title fight as women’s bantamweight champion Cassia Moura faces submission specialist Sabrina Gondim.
Moura enters the event defending her championship for the first time, while Gondim looks to capture UFC BJJ gold in Las Vegas.
How to Watch UFC BJJ 8
Fans can watch UFC BJJ 8 live and free on the official UFC YouTube channel beginning at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on Thursday, May 21. Additional coverage will also be available through UFC Fight Pass.
Full UFC BJJ 8 Fight Card
Main Event
- Mikey Musumeci vs Kevin Dantzler
UFC BJJ Bantamweight Championship
Co-Main Event
- Cassia Moura vs Sabrina Gondim
UFC BJJ Women’s Bantamweight Championship
Additional Matches
- William Tackett vs Manuel Ribamar
- Ethan Crelinsten vs Danilo Moreira
- Derek Rayfield vs Jett Thompson
- Landon Elmore vs Keith Krikorian
- Liam Crelinsten vs Max Livingston
- Azamat Bakytov vs Thomas David
UFC BJJ Rules and Format
UFC BJJ uses a three-round format with five-minute rounds and a 10-point must scoring system similar to MMA judging.
According to the official rules, judges prioritize:
- submission attempts
- offensive advancement
- positional control
Illegal techniques include striking, eye gouging, groin attacks, hair pulling, and intentional stalling tactics.
The promotion continues pushing a faster-paced presentation style designed to appeal to both traditional grappling fans and newer combat sports audiences.
UFC Continues Expanding Into Competitive Grappling
The UFC’s investment into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues growing through the UFC BJJ brand, which has increasingly featured elite grapplers from major organizations around the world.
With names like Musumeci, Tackett, Crelinsten, and Ribamar competing tonight, UFC BJJ 8 adds another high-level showcase to the promotion’s expanding submission grappling lineup.
For fans of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, tonight’s card could produce some of the most technical grappling exchanges of the month.
