Jalen Fonacier wins vacant UFC BJJ bantamweight belt
The Filipino grappler defeated Brazil’s Kleber Barbosa by unanimous decision, taking the title previously held by teammate Mikey Musumeci.
Filipino Jalen Fonacier defeated Brazil’s Kleber Barbosa by unanimous decision to become UFC BJJ bantamweight champion at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The 21-year-old won the vacant belt in the co-main event at UFC BJJ 13.
The result reversed their meeting in the brown belt finals at the 2024 European Championship, where Barbosa beat Fonacier in gi competition. Their latest contest was fought in no-gi, with neither grappler securing a submission over 15 minutes.
Fonacier attacked Barbosa’s leg early before escaping a leg-lock threat and moving on top. He later gained back control, applied a body triangle and pursued a rear-naked choke, but Barbosa resisted. The second round brought further leg-lock exchanges, with Barbosa escaping Fonacier’s attempts and eventually taking top position.
Barbosa increased his pace in the third round and gained greater positional control, while Fonacier continued targeting his legs. The judges ultimately awarded the contest to the Filipino, whose teammate Mikey Musumeci had vacated the belt to focus on moving into mixed martial arts. Based in Los Angeles, California, Fonacier also has two IBJJF world championships.
