Musumeci's Belt Goes To Filipino Teammate After Controversial UFC BJJ 13

Mikey Musumeci's bantamweight title now belongs to his Filipino training partner. Jalen Fonacier captured the vacated strap at UFC BJJ 13, defeating longtime rival Kleber Barboza by decision to become the promotion's first Filipino champion, MMA Mania reports.

Fonacier, a two-time IBJJF world champion, controlled the technical exchanges and attacked Barboza's legs repeatedly throughout the contest. The victory avenged earlier losses to Barboza and marks the second straight Filipino success in UFC grappling following Musumeci's decision to step away from serious competition earlier this year.

UFC BJJ Ends Draws After Nicky Rod Controversy

In the main event, William Tackett secured middleweight gold with a quick rear naked choke over Jay Rodriguez. After early scrambles, Tackett took the back and forced the tap, joining his brother Andrew as sibling champions across two divisions.

Nick Rodriguez continued his dominant 2026 run with an arm-triangle finish of IBJJF Pan champion Nata Tenca. The CJI double champion smothered Tenca from top position for nearly three rounds before securing the submission late in the bout. Rodriguez now holds two wins and two draws with UFC BJJ this year, including a controversial September stalemate with Mason Fowler that prompted the promotion to announce a rule change during the broadcast. Title fights can no longer end in draws. If scorecards are even after three rounds, a three-minute overtime period will determine the winner.

ADCC champions Jasmine Rocha and Ffion Davies both landed submissions on the card. Rocha stopped Karen Atunes with an armbar despite protests that the tap was accidental, then called for UFC BJJ to open a strawweight division. Davies needed just one round to sweep and arm-triangle Jaine Fragoso, setting up a potential rematch with two-division champion Cassia Moura.

UFC BJJ returns with its next event in early 2027.

Reported via:

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