UFC BJJ came out with an interesting announcement, securing the signature of Joao Miyao for the promotion’s sixth event on March 12. The Brazilian phenom will face Jussier Formiga in what promises to be a bantamweight showcase on the card.
Miyao’s addition to the roster represents a significant coup for the promotion, one that some observers are calling the most impressive signing since Nicholas Meregali joined the organization.
The March 12 card features three compelling matchups across multiple weight classes. In the heavyweight division, Devhonte Johnson takes on Lucas Norat, while the featherweight match pairs Meyram Maquine against Marco Mendes. The Miyao versus Formiga bantamweight clash serves as the evening’s featured attraction.
For fans of high-level submission grappling, Miyao’s commitment to UFC BJJ opens up intriguing possibilities for future matches. Given his established reputation in the sport, a potential showdown with Mikey Musumeci would generate considerable interest throughout the community. The strategic value of bringing Miyao into the fold becomes clear when considering the caliber of opponents now available. One of the biggest criticisms levied against UFC BJJ is that it’s walling off the garden and top talent is unable to be matched to other top talent.
The signing arrives during a period of notable roster expansion for UFC BJJ. The promotion recently announced that Nick Rodriguez would make his appearance on the same March 12 card, facing Elder Cruz. That announcement also included matches featuring Ana Rodriguez against Jasmine Rocha and Manuel Ribamar squaring off with Caio Vinicius.
Rodriguez’s commitment to UFC BJJ raised eyebrows throughout the grappling community given his recent earnings at high-profile events. The accomplished competitor collected $1,000,000 at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational in 2024 before adding another $250,000 at CJI 2. Those figures stand in notable contrast to the compensation structure UFC BJJ reportedly offers.de.
The grappling community has speculated that Rodriguez may have accepted reduced immediate compensation in exchange for positioning himself for a more lucrative exclusive arrangement down the line.
These signings unfold against a backdrop of increasing restrictions affecting athlete autonomy. Gadelha recently announced that UFC BJJ’s exclusive roster members would be prohibited from competing at ADCC beginning in 2027, with limited participation permitted for select athletes in 2026.
