Welcome to the BJJ Beat! On this recurring feature, we’ll tackle the biggest news from the professional grappling scene, and roll everything up in an easily digestible and familiar jiu-jitsu format.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Mikey Musumeci and Gordon Ryan set ‘truce’ after ‘misunderstanding’
Two of the biggest names in BJJ have been beefing for quite a while, with Gordon Ryan and Mikey Musumeci trading barbs about topics such as steroids and its place in the sport.
While they mostly took shots at each other online or through the media, the two BJJ stars have since spoken to each other directly to hash things out.
“PSA – me and (Mikey Musumeci) are friends again. It was a misunderstanding,” Ryan wrote on Instagram.
Musumeci also went on to elaborate further, blaming “clickbait” articles for their “stupid feud.”
“(Gordon Ryan) honestly has always been super nice and respectful to me. We became friends around 2018ish and have always rooted for and wished for each other’s success! What happened was I got mad at a clickbait article that changed his words that a lot of friends sent me when I was living in Asia,” Musumeci explained.
“I didn’t know Jiu Jitsu articles would do that until they do that to me now everyday as well, so we had a stupid feud,” he continued. “I called him old (he just dyes his beard grey) and he called me a midget, (I am pretty short) and being both from New Jersey this would be a normal day in the gym for us, fair play truce now. We talked and cleared the air.”
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
UFC’s Bryce Mitchell to face top grapplers at EBI 25 tournament
Can Bryce Mitchell become a champion in jiu-jitsu? The longtime UFC vet has always been considered a really good grappler for MMA, but he will now be making a switch to professional jiu-jitsu competition. It’s not just a random grappling match either, as the 18-3 UFC fighter has decided to test himself against actual elite BJJ stars.
Bryce Mitchell will be joining the 16-man lightweight tournament at EBI 25 on September 12. That bracket will feature some world champions and high level BJJ stars such as Polaris champ Keith Krikorian, two-time IBJJF world champ Gianni Grippo, two-time ADCC Trials champ Ethan Crelinsten, Max Hanson, and Ben Eddy.
Other talented grapplers and up and comers in the grand prix include Mauricio Rios, Jordan Holy, Cristos Papadelos, Randy Baker, Christian Guzman and Grayson Henley.
Move of the Day
ADCC 2026 world championships moves to Poland
After six years and three ADCC world championships in the US, the next iteration of the prestigious biennial event will be moving back to Europe. As the promotion announced, ADCC 2026 will be hosted in Krakow, Poland.
The date and venue are also set, with ADCC 2026 world championships happening on September 12-13, 2026 at the 15,000 capacity Tauron Arena.
The premier no gi world championship event will be going back to Europe for the first time since ADCC 2017 in Finland. They also hosted world championships in China in 2013, England in 2011 and Spain in 2009, while other repeat locations were mostly in Brazil, the US and its birthplace in Abu Dhabi.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Thalyta Silva beats Helena Crevar, Marinho wins stacked BJJ Stars 16 GP
BJJ Stars 16 produced a lot of entertaining grappling action. Teenage BJJ prodigy and WNO champion Helena Crevar failed to add to her already impressive belt collection, as she lost a close match to Thalyta Silva. “Thata,” the reigning IBJJF world champion, successfully defended her BJJ Stars featherweight title by securing one crucial takedown that ended up getting her a win by points.
The main draw of the event though, was a chaotic absolute or open weight grand prix. Once again shining against far bigger opponents was one of the smallest grapplers on the card in Fabricio Andrey. The 66 kg grappler hit this insane judo throw against a super heavyweight world champion.
While the CJI 2 Australasia representative stole the spotlight, the night actually belonged to Pedro Marinho. The WNO champ beat the smaller Andrey by decision, before going on to submit Yatan Bueno in the finals to go 3-0 and win the tournament.
Yuki Takahashi becomes EBI champ, wins Mexico vs. The World GP
EBI 24 hosted a Mexico vs. The World grand prix, and interestingly enough, it was won by a top Japanese prospect. Mexican-American Isaac Cordova had a really good run with three submissions, but it was Yuki Takahashi that won the EBI bantamweight title.
Takahashi, a black belt under the legendary Masakazu Imanari, had a heel hook in the opening round, but had to grind out the final three matches into overtime to win the tournament.
To close things out, here are other interesting BJJ stories you might have missed:
- CJI 2 fight card finalized! – All the team line ups for their $1 million tournament this August are set
- Tackett Brothers go wild! – UFC BJJ 2 saw two brothers, a new champion, and a teenage phenom take big wins.
- ADCC in the gi?? – Is ADCC about to go head-to-head with IBJJF?
For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here.
