UFC BJJ is getting ready for a night with two belts on the line and a strong Brazilian presence.
The promotion officially announced the card for UFC BJJ 12, set for October 8, with two title matches at the top: Cassia Moura vs. Adele Fornarino at women’s flyweight, and Renato Canuto vs. Ethan Crelinsten at lightweight.
But Brazilians won’t only be in the title matches. The event also has Gilbert “Durinho” Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida and Danielle Kelly vs. Thaynara Victoria. It is a card with names known to both competitive jiu-jitsu fans and UFC fans.
Cassia Moura vs. Adele Fornarino is for the belt
In the main event, Cassia Moura defends her spot at the top of the division against Adele Fornarino, with a new belt on the line.
Cassia reached the final after a dominant performance at UFC BJJ 10. The Brazilian submitted Bre Stikk with an armbar in the first round, at 4:31, to earn her place in the Grand Prix final.
On the other side, Adele Fornarino didn’t need the judges either. The Australian faced Carol Brunacio and won with a straight ankle lock in the first round, at 2:53.
Now the two semifinal winners finally meet. Fornarino has also built a standout no-gi résumé over the last few years, including double gold at ADCC, where she won both her weight class and the absolute, the open-weight division.
The match puts two aggressive styles face to face. It also comes at a time when UFC BJJ is trying to establish its first women’s champions and divisions.
Renato Canuto gets a shot at the belt
The second title match of the night also has a Brazilian. Renato Canuto faces Ethan Crelinsten for the lightweight belt.
Canuto is a well-known name from a generation that helped make pro jiu-jitsu popular before the current boom in grappling events.
He has an explosive game and is known for staying active and attacking even against top opponents. Now the Brazilian gets a new chance to add a UFC BJJ belt to his résumé.
On the other side is Crelinsten, part of a generation that made its name mostly in no-gi.
It is a match that brings together two different eras of pro grappling, and it will end with a new champion.
Gilbert Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida puts two generations face to face
Another match that stands out on the card is Gilbert Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida.
Durinho needs little introduction. Before building a long UFC career, the Brazilian was already an elite jiu-jitsu athlete, with an IBJJF world title as a black belt.
Now he meets Gabriel Almeida, an athlete who has been making his own name on the pro scene. And there is an interesting link between the two.
Both have strong ties to jiu-jitsu in Niterói, a city next to Rio de Janeiro that has produced several generations of top athletes. The match will be at middleweight and could be one of the best of the night because it pits experience against current form.
Thaynara Victoria debuts at UFC BJJ against Danielle Kelly
Brazil also has Thaynara Victoria, who makes her UFC BJJ debut against one of the best-known names in women’s grappling. The Brazilian faces Danielle Kelly in a strawweight match.
Kelly comes in for her second match with the promotion. In her debut at UFC BJJ 10, she beat Ana Lima by unanimous decision after three rounds.
For Thaynara, UFC BJJ 12 means stepping onto a new stage, and the promotion did not give her an easy first match.
Danielle Kelly vs. Thaynara Victoria takes place on October 8 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
UFC BJJ 12: see the announced card
UFC BJJ 12 will have:
Cassia Moura vs. Adele Fornarino — women’s flyweight title
Renato Canuto vs. Ethan Crelinsten — lightweight title
Gilbert Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida — middleweight
Danielle Kelly vs. Thaynara Victoria — women’s strawweight
Raquel Canuto vs. Mo Black — women’s flyweight
Deandre Corbe vs. Shay Montague — bantamweight
Jasmine Rocha vs. Trinity Pun — women’s flyweight
Devin Key vs. Chris Wojcik — lightweight
Dante Leon vs. Jansen Gomes — middleweight
Josh Hinger vs. Gabriel Arges — light heavyweight
Isaac Cordova vs. Lucas Protasio — lightweight
UFC BJJ 12 takes place on October 8.
UFC BJJ raises its bet on pro jiu-jitsu
More than two title matches, the card shows how UFC BJJ keeps speeding up the build of its own roster.
Established jiu-jitsu athletes, well-known UFC names and a new generation of competitors are starting to share the same stage.
And at UFC BJJ 12, Brazil will be at the center of that story.
Two belts will be on the line. One of them could end up with Renato Canuto, while Cassia Moura once again steps in as the lead name of the women’s division.
And there is still an all-Brazilian match that draws attention on its own:
Gilbert Burns vs. Gabriel Almeida.
On October 8, the next chapter begins.
