UFC BJJ 12 delivered two new champions and several quick submissions on October 8, with Cassia Moura making promotional history in the main event.
Moura defeated Adele Fornarino by split decision to win the inaugural UFC BJJ women’s flyweight championship. Already the promotion’s bantamweight champion, Moura became the first athlete in UFC BJJ history to simultaneously hold titles in two divisions.
Renato Canuto also captured gold, defeating Ethan Crelinsten by unanimous decision for the vacant lightweight championship.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Almeida submitted former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns with a heel hook, while Thaynara Victoria finished Danielle Kelly by first-round armbar.
Cassia Moura Becomes UFC BJJ’s First Double Champion
Moura’s historic victory did not come easily.
Fornarino created several dangerous leg-lock opportunities during the opening round and appeared close to securing a finish.
Moura survived and responded with stronger positional offense later in the match, including a stretch of back control during the second round.
After three competitive rounds, the judges awarded Moura a split-decision victory.
The result made Moura UFC BJJ’s first simultaneous two-division champion.
The decision also generated immediate debate among fans and observers, with some arguing that Fornarino’s submission attempts should have carried greater weight on the scorecards.
The official result, however, remains Moura by split decision.
Renato Canuto Wins Lightweight Gold
In the co-main event, Renato Canuto defeated Ethan Crelinsten by unanimous decision to become UFC BJJ’s lightweight champion.
Both athletes had success during the match, but Canuto finished particularly strong.
During the third round, he secured back control with a body triangle and attacked with multiple submission attempts, including a rear-naked choke threat.
Crelinsten survived, but Canuto’s offensive work secured the decision and the championship.
Gabriel Almeida Submits Gilbert Burns
Gabriel Almeida delivered one of the night’s biggest results when he submitted Gilbert Burns with a heel hook at 4:34 of the first round.
Burns scored a takedown earlier in the match, but Almeida eventually created a leg-entanglement exchange and attacked the former UFC title challenger’s left leg.
Burns tapped with 26 seconds remaining in the round.
The victory gives Almeida a major result in his UFC BJJ debut and interrupts Burns’ return to professional grappling following his retirement from MMA.
Thaynara Victoria Finishes Danielle Kelly
Thaynara Victoria also earned a high-profile submission victory, defeating Danielle Kelly by armbar at 2:53 of Round 1.
Kelly entered UFC BJJ 12 as one of the better-known competitors in women’s professional grappling and a former ONE Championship titleholder.
Victoria’s quick finish immediately boosts her standing within UFC BJJ’s developing women’s divisions.
UFC BJJ 12 Full Results
Cassia Moura def. Adele Fornarino — split decision
Renato Canuto def. Ethan Crelinsten — unanimous decision
Gabriel Almeida def. Gilbert Burns — heel hook, Round 1, 4:34
Thaynara Victoria def. Danielle Kelly — armbar, Round 1, 2:53
Landon Elmore def. Max Livingston — ankle lock, Round 1, 3:42
Kade Anastasios def. Ataide Rafael — heel hook, Round 1, 4:29
Raphael Ferreira def. Kyle O’Hare — heel hook, Round 1, 3:14
John Chandler def. Raphael Gomez — unanimous decision
Five of the eight matches ended by submission in the opening round.
UFC BJJ now turns its attention toward UFC BJJ 13 on October 29, with another bantamweight championship fight expected following Mikey Musumeci’s decision to vacate the title while focusing on his move into MMA.
After UFC BJJ 12, however, the biggest headline belongs to Cassia Moura.
The 20-year-old leaves October 8 with two championship belts — and a place in UFC BJJ history.
