In a recent episode of UFC Unfiltered, 24-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom William Tackett discussed his journey to becoming one of the latest jiu-jitsu practitioners signed by the UFC for their submission grappling events.
Tackett, who began training at just eight years old in 2009, revealed that his jiu-jitsu journey started alongside his brother and father after watching early UFC events and Bruce Lee movies. “We just wanted to try some martial arts,” Tackett explained, noting how they “stumbled across a jiu-jitsu studio that just opened up right down the street” from their home in Austin, Texas.
From these humble beginnings, Tackett developed into one of the most promising talents in the submission grappling world. He received his black belt from Rodrigo Cabral (Brucutu), a Leo Vieira black belt with an impressive competitive background of his own.
Tackett’s recent signing with the UFC comes on the heels of his standout performance at the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). When discussing the UFC deal, Tackett expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m really appreciative for the UFC giving opportunities like this.” The signing allows him to focus fully on competing rather than teaching classes at his gym, Brazilian Fight Factory.
The young grappler will make his UFC Fight Pass debut against Achilles Rocha, the son of Vagner Rocha, at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11 on May 29th. Tackett described his opponent as a “very young, giant kid that is very exciting,” setting up what promises to be an intriguing matchup.
When discussing the rule set for UFC submission grappling events, Tackett explained they follow a format similar to MMA scoring: “It’s three five-minute rounds with a 10-point scoring system… unless there’s a submission, of course.” He noted that he advocated for this scoring system when consulted about rule sets, explaining, “If you guys want to get non-jiu-jitsu guys in the sport, use a rule set that everyone knows.”
Tackett also shared insights about his personal life, including how he met his wife through jiu-jitsu. They had known each other since they were around 11 or 12 years old from seeing each other at tournaments. Their first date was actually at a jiu-jitsu event where she watched him compete – a match he won, which he now jokes might have been “the most important match” of his life.
For jiu-jitsu fans, Tackett represents part of the new wave of grapplers who can make a living solely through the sport without transitioning to MMA.
He expressed gratitude for this opportunity: “This lifestyle is the best. I don’t have to clock in, clock out. I get to make my own schedule and push myself.”
Ffion Davies also discussed her recent signing with the UFC and her upcoming match at UFC Invitational 11.
Davies, who famously submitted UFC’s Mackenzie Dern in CJI with what she described as a “modified armlock,” explained that her transition to the UFC came about unexpectedly.
“They reached out to my managers and I think it was a really obvious match after ADCC and CJI,” Davies explained. “It was like I didn’t even realize they were going to sign on jiu-jitsu athletes, so I thought it was obviously a really exciting period for the sport and to be part of that is pretty unreal.”
The Welsh grappler, who moved back to London last September after spending two years training in New York, expressed how thrilled she is about this new career opportunity.
