Submission grappling takes center stage once again in Las Vegas as UFC BJJ returns to the Meta Apex on Thursday, October 8. The upcoming event, UFC BJJ 12, features a stacked fight card highlighted by two major championship matches and a roster boasting some of the most recognizable and elite names in the global grappling community.
As the promotion continues to solidify its place in the combat sports landscape, UFC BJJ 12 offers fans a compelling mix of seasoned MMA crossover stars, ADCC legends, and rising submission-only specialists. Set against the intimate and high-production backdrop of the Meta Apex, the card promises rapid-fire technical exchanges, high-level wrestling transitions, and lethal submission attempts from the opening match of the preliminary slate all the way to the championship main event.
In the headlining bout of the evening, reigning bantamweight champion Cassia Moura will step onto the mats to face ADCC double-gold medalist Adele Fornarino. The high-stakes showdown serves as the final of the women’s flyweight grand prix, carrying massive historical implications for the promotion. The winner of the championship clash will etch their name into the history books as the inaugural UFC BJJ flyweight champion. Meanwhile, Moura enters the contest with an even grander prize in her sights: a victory would make her the first two-division titleholder in UFC BJJ history, cementing her status as one of the most dominant and versatile grapplers of her generation.
Moura earned her coveted spot in the flyweight championship final following a stellar performance at UFC BJJ 10, where she secured a decisive first-round armbar submission victory over Bre Stikk. On the other side of the bracket, Fornarino punched her ticket to the championship final by locking in a devastating first-round straight ankle lock against Carol Brunacio. Both athletes have built a reputation for overcoming size disparities, consistently finishing larger opponents with elite technical precision.
The stylistic matchup between Moura and Fornarino presents a fascinating tactical battle for combat sports analysts and fans alike. Moura is widely known for her aggressive, forward-moving attack style, constantly hunting for upper-body submissions and positional dominance. Fornarino, an elite competitor with a pedigree highlighted by her historic ADCC double-gold performance, brings a notoriously dangerous lower-body submission game that can end a match in a fraction of a second from seemingly non-threatening positions. The clash of styles between Moura’s relentless upper-body pressure and Fornarino’s lethal leg-lock entries makes the flyweight grand prix final a must-watch encounter.
Co-Headliner Set to Crown New Lightweight King
The co-main event of UFC BJJ 12 shifts the spotlight to the men’s division, where a vacant lightweight championship will be up for grabs. Top-tier grapplers Renato Canuto and Ethan Crelinsten are set to lock horns in what promises to be a fast-paced, high-intensity battle for the belt.
Canuto enters the championship matchup following a diverse and challenging run through the promotion’s ranks. He previously tested himself against elite competition when he challenged Andrew Tackett for the welterweight belt. Though he fell short in that championship bid, Canuto rebounded brilliantly, demonstrating his adaptability and championship resolve by stringing together consecutive, hard-fought decision victories over Alan Sanchez and Yonathan Cardenas.
Standing across from him in the center of the Bowl will be Ethan Crelinsten, a submission specialist who made a resounding statement during his promotional debut at UFC BJJ 8. In that outing, Crelinsten showcased his finishing prowess by securing a clinical first-round rear-naked choke against Danilo Moreira. With Canuto’s dynamic, crowd-pleasing scrambles meeting Crelinsten’s precise and suffocating submission attacks, the vacant lightweight championship bout is expected to deliver non-stop action from the moment the referee signals the start of the match.
Gilbert Burns Returns to the Bowl in Middleweight Action
Beyond the championship bouts, UFC BJJ 12 features several marquee matchups guaranteed to draw the attention of mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu purists alike. Among the most anticipated returns is that of former UFC welterweight title challenger and decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Gilbert Burns.
Burns, widely respected across both MMA and pure grappling circuits for his world-class ground skills, is making his second appearance inside the UFC BJJ Bowl. In his promotional debut, Burns put on a tactical masterclass, securing a victory over Horlando Monteiro. For his sophomore appearance under the banner, "Durinho" will step up in weight to compete in a high-stakes middleweight contest against Gabriel Almeida. Burns’ return adds immense star power to the card, offering fans another opportunity to witness a legendary black belt test his skills against the modern generation of specialized submission grapplers.
The talent-rich card also features strawweight standout Danielle Kelly, who is searching for her second promotional victory as she squares off against Thaynara Victoria. Kelly has become one of the most recognizable faces in professional grappling, and her return to the Meta Apex adds further depth to an already star-studded lineup.
The remainder of the preliminary and main card bouts feature a diverse mix of international talent and hungry contenders looking to make their mark on the organization. In the lightweight division, Landon Elmore will face Max Livingston. The welterweight division plays host to a compelling clash between Kade Anastasios and Ataide Rafael. Featherweight action features Kyle O’Hare taking on Raphael Ferreira, while John Chandler meets Raphael Gomez in another lightweight showdown.
How to Watch UFC BJJ 12
Fans around the world will be able to catch all the submission grappling action live as it unfolds from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. UFC BJJ 12 is scheduled to stream live on UFC Fight Pass, with the broadcast kicking off at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, October 8.
UFC BJJ 12 Fight Card
Women’s Flyweight Championship: Cassia Moura vs. Adele Fornarino
Lightweight Championship: Renato Canuto vs. Ethan Crelinsten
Middleweight: Gilbert Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida
Women’s Strawweight: Danielle Kelly vs. Thaynara Victoria
Lightweight: Landon Elmore vs. Max Livingston
Welterweight: Kade Anastasios vs. Ataide Rafael
Featherweight: Kyle O’Hare vs. Raphael Ferreira
Lightweight: John Chandler vs. Raphael Gomez
