UFC BJJ is back later this month, and bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci is once again taking center stage. This time, however, he is stepping outside his division to face one of the more recognizable submission threats from the UFC roster.
On Thursday, Sep. 24, Musumeci will face UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell in a special featherweight show match in the main event of UFC BJJ 11: Musumeci vs. Mitchell. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
While no title will be on the line in the headliner, the co-main event will feature UFC BJJ gold. Light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler puts his title on the line against Nick Rodriguez in a rematch of their 2024 meeting.
Mikey Musumeci Steps Up Against Bryce Mitchell
Musumeci has been one of the faces of UFC BJJ since the promotion launched, and the reigning bantamweight champion enters UFC BJJ 11 with a perfect 4-0 record and four submissions.
The Las Vegas-based grappler has submitted Kevin Dantzler, Shay Montague and Keven Carrasco during his run inside the UFC BJJ Bowl. He has also gone nearly five years without a loss.
Against Mitchell, however, Musumeci will be dealing with a larger opponent who has spent years testing his grappling against UFC-level competition.
Mitchell will make his UFC BJJ debut after building his reputation primarily inside the Octagon. The Arkansas native is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and one of the few fighters in UFC history to secure a twister submission.
Mitchell has also scored submission victories over Santiago Luna and Matt Sayles during his MMA career. Now, he gets the opportunity to test those skills in a pure grappling match against one of the sport’s most accomplished competitors.
Mason Fowler, Nick Rodriguez Meet Again
The UFC BJJ 11 co-main event comes with both a championship and some unfinished business.
UFC BJJ light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler enters the event with a 3-0 promotional record, including two submissions. Fowler has picked up UFC BJJ victories over Devhonte Johnson, Pedro Machado and David Garmo while establishing himself at the top of the 205-pound division.
His next challenger also happens to be a familiar opponent.
Fowler and Rodriguez previously met in 2024, with Rodriguez earning a decision victory. UFC BJJ 11 gives Fowler the opportunity to avenge that loss while defending his light heavyweight championship.
Rodriguez enters the title fight with a 1-0-1 UFC BJJ record. He made an emphatic divisional debut by submitting Joao Nicolite in the opening round and will now attempt to defeat Fowler for a second time while capturing his first UFC BJJ championship.
UFC BJJ 11 Features Eight-Match Card
The rest of UFC BJJ 11 includes several established grapplers along with athletes making their promotional debuts.
Former UFC BJJ women’s featherweight champion Aurelie Le Vern returns against Rana Willink. Le Vern enters the match with a 2-1 UFC BJJ record, with both of her victories coming by submission.
Jay Rodriguez and Kevin Beuhring will each make their UFC BJJ debuts in a middleweight contest, while Pedro Machado faces Lucas Norat in another middleweight matchup.
Ryan Elgarico meets Jordan Holy at featherweight, Mason Stritzel takes on Seve Zazueta at middleweight, and Kolby Gonzalez faces UFC BJJ Opens qualifier Daniel Deeder in a welterweight contest.
With Musumeci moving up to face Mitchell and Fowler getting an opportunity to settle the score with Rodriguez, UFC BJJ 11 has two very different storylines sitting atop the card.
Musumeci has the chance to show that his submission game translates against a larger UFC veteran. Fowler, meanwhile, has a championship to defend and a loss to avenge.
Both questions will be answered Thursday, Sep. 24.
UFC BJJ 11: Musumeci vs. Mitchell streams live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET. All bouts are subject to change.
UFC BJJ 11 Fight Card
Featherweight Show Match: Mikey Musumeci vs. Bryce Mitchell
UFC BJJ Light Heavyweight Championship: Mason Fowler (c) vs. Nick Rodriguez
Women’s Featherweight: Aurelie Le Vern vs. Rana Willink
Middleweight: Jay Rodriguez vs. Kevin Beuhring
Middleweight: Pedro Machado vs. Lucas Norat
Featherweight: Ryan Elgarico vs. Jordan Holy
Middleweight: Mason Stritzel vs. Seve Zazueta
Welterweight: Kolby Gonzalez vs. Daniel Deeder