The piece spotlights top colored belt athletes to watch at the 2026 IBJJF World Championship, including reigning champions and rising stars. It outlines notable competitors across divisions and suggests who may medal.
https://flograppling.com/articles/15927051-top-colored-belt-athletes-to-watch-at-the-2026-ibjjf-worlds
UFC BJJ plans to host its first open tournaments in 2026, expanding beyond professional MMA and Jiu-Jitsu. The article suggests the format could serve as a talent-scouting opportunity while remaining distinct from major shows.
https://jitsmagazine.com/ufc-bjj-announces-first-ever-open-tournaments-in-2026/
UFC BJJ 8 at Meta APEX featured multiple bouts with title defenses and several finishes, including Crelinsten's submission win and Thompson's late-armbar finish. The event also included Bakytov vs David ending in a majority draw and Krikorian winning by decision.
https://ufc.com/news/ufc-bjj-8-results-musumeci-vs-dantzler-winners-recaps-interviews
Mikey Musumeci and Cassia Moura defended their UFC BJJ 8 belts, with Musumeci winning despite a staph infection. Moura secured a rear-naked choke victory in the co-main, defending her bantamweight title.
https://mmamania.com/bjj-news/445260/infected-mikey-musumeci-cassia-moura-score-submissions-to-defend-belts-at-ufc-bjj-8-videos
Raimundo Ítalo Pereira de Almeida, commonly known as Italo Almeida, is a professional grappler and a black belt under Carlson Gracie Júnior. He has won multiple titles, including the 2026 CBJJ Brazilian National Championship and the 2025 Abu Dhabi World Pro as a brown belt.
https://bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/italo-almeida
Thiago Muñoz Ortiz is an Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappler and black belt under Edson Ortiz, representing the Ortiz Martial Arts Academy. He rose to prominence after winning a silver medal at the Abu Dhabi World Pro as a brown belt (2024) and has notable IBJJF results, including a 2025 Pan-Pacific Championship win.
https://bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/thiago-ortiz
UFC BJJ 8 took place on May 21, 2026, with multiple submissions and a few decisions highlighted in the results. The report lists the full results and notes that the event replay is available on the promotion’s official YouTube channel.
https://jitsmagazine.com/ufc-bjj-8-full-results-and-highlights/
The author uses The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s DON'T PANIC as a metaphor for staying calm on the mat. The piece argues that calm, tactical thinking—rather than panicking—helps you escape bad positions and apply skills in real-life situations.
https://grapplearts.com/dont-panic-jiu-jitsu-advice-from-an-alien-book/
UFC BJJ 8 in Las Vegas features Mikey Musumeci vs Kevin Dantzler and other championship bouts at the UFC APEX. The event airs May 21, 2026, starting at 5 PM PT on the UFC BJJ YouTube channel, with eight bouts and a 10-point must scoring system across five-minute rounds.
https://ufc.com/news/ufc-bjj-8-musumeci-vs-dantzler-full-fight-card-start-time-how-watch
Amit Elor, Olympic wrestler, details her experiences with BJJ coach Melqui Galvao, describing a manipulative and controlling environment. She notes she did not witness sexual abuse but warns about power dynamics and urges caution before drawing conclusions.
https://jitsmagazine.com/amit-elor-shares-her-experiences-with-melqui-galvao/
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 concluded in Abu Dhabi on May 17 with winners across men’s and women’s divisions, showcasing top gi competitors. The article lists champions including Braga, Fernandes, Teixeira, de Oliveira, and Custodia.
https://jitsmagazine.com/abu-dhabi-grand-slam-abu-dhabi-2026-full-results-and-highlights/
Mason Fowler will defend his light-heavyweight UFC BJJ title against Devhonte Johnson at UFC BJJ 9 on June 4, 2026. The article notes Fowler's prior title defenses and Johnson's championship history, including Johnson's IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2021, with the event announcement confirming the match.
https://jitsmagazine.com/mason-fowler-to-defend-title-against-devhonte-johnson-at-ufc-bjj-9/
UFC BJJ 8 takes place May 21, 2026, and this article provides a full card preview including title fights and superfights. It highlights Musumeci vs Dantzler as the main event and notes live coverage on UFC Fight Pass. The piece also covers Moura vs Gondim and other matchups with likely paths to victory.
https://jitsmagazine.com/ufc-bjj-8-musumeci-vs-dantzler-full-card-preview/
Kuwaiti jiu-jitsu champion Jassim Alhatem refused to shake Israeli bronze medalist Yoav Manor's hand at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam podium. He defended the moment, saying Muslims must have a principle and that there is no separation between sports and politics.
https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/kuwaiti-muslim-jiu-jitsu-champion-refuses-israeli-athlete-handshake
UFC BJJ 8 will stream free on YouTube with results and video highlights for a card headlined by Mikey Musumeci's bantamweight title defense against Kevin Dantzler. The event also features Cassia Moura vs Sabrina Gondim and several other BJJ matchups.
https://mmamania.com/bjj-news/444937/ufc-bjj-8-free-live-stream-results-video-highlights-musumeci-vs-dantzler
Dillon Danis is returning to wrestling to face Khamzat Chimaev in the main event at RAF 10 on June 13, 2026. Chimaev is a three-time Swedish national champion, and the piece notes Danis’s grappling background and MMA experience.
https://jitsmagazine.com/dillon-danis-returns-to-wrestling-to-face-khamzat-chimaev-at-raf-10/
United World Wrestling has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Smoothcomp to collaborate on event management systems, competition software, and digital solutions for grappling, Pankration, and Amateur MMA. The agreement covers potential integration with Smoothcomp’s platform and UWW systems, and includes piloting events and development projects.
https://uww.org/article/uww-signs-mou-smoothcomp-grappling-amateur-mma
Finishers: Money In The Bank 3 vs 3 occurred on May 16, 2026, featuring men's and women's 3-on-3 tournaments run under EBI rules and a superfight for the welterweight title. Finishers Wolf Pack won the men's tournament, while Team Bangarang claimed the women’s title after decisive submissions in the final.
https://jitsmagazine.com/finishers-money-in-the-bank-3-vs-3-full-results-and-highlights/
Jits Magazine reports Submission Hunter Pro 103 will host a $5,000 grand prix with eight featherweights and first-round matchups. The lineup was revealed on the promotion’s Instagram, promising action from the start.
https://jitsmagazine.com/full-lineup-announced-for-5000-tournament-at-submission-hunter-pro-103/
Tang Kai defended his ONE Featherweight MMA World Title with a fourth-round TKO. Diogo Reis dominated a 10-minute grappling match, and Aslamjon Ortikov moved closer to the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai title.
https://onefc.com/news/my-best-one-is-coming-tang-kai-diogo-reis-and-aslamjon-ortikov-reflect-on-massive-wins-at-one-fight-night-43/