Controversy! Cassia Moura survives Fornarino, becomes first UFC BJJ double champ; Burns submitted
Cassia Moura and Adele Fornarino put on a show at UFC BJJ 12, but their entertaining title bout wasn’t without controversy.
After dominating their respective opponents in the opening rounds, two of the best grapplers in the world faced off in the tournament finals for the inaugural UFC BJJ flyweight title. The highly anticipated match up delivered, as Fornarino and Moura bought an incredibly technical and fast-paced grappling match. The two BJJ stars did their part, but unfortunately, it’s the judges and the three round format that arguably failed them and the viewers.
Cassia Moura wins controversial split decision over Adele Fornarino
In the opening round of their UFC BJJ 12 title bout, the ADCC double gold medalist in Adele Fornarino secured multiple deep leg locks that clearly dealt damage. These submissions had Cassia Moura grimacing in pain and on the verge of tapping until she was eventually saved by the bell. After surviving, she impressively continued competing on a compromised leg, and went on to push the pace in the final two close rounds. Moura had near pass attempts, while Fornarino also had a few nice leg entries in the third round, making for a gritty, entertaining — and clearly way too short — title bout.
After a one-sided opening stanza, and two very close rounds, controversy struck as the judges had a split decision. Cassia Moura was awarded the belt, and became UFC BJJ’s first ever two-division champion.
Moura is clearly talented and did all that she could despite eating the leg damage in the opening round, but to no fault of her own, the judging has been rightfully questioned. The third round could’ve gone either way, and there’s a case for Moura potentially winning the last two, but there is just no possible justification for giving the first round a generic 10-9.
Fornarino not only secured multiple deep heel hooks, she clearly dealt damage in what should’ve been the easiest 10-8 round to score. Moura was only saved by the bell, so the near finish even has a better case for a rare 10-7 than a 10-9. It looked like Fornarino’s worst outcome was a draw, but she somehow ended up losing (another) close split decision at UFC BJJ.
Outside of the controversial scorecards, the match once again highlighted how simply transferring MMA’s three five-minute rounds isn’t ideal for jiu-jitsu. Grapplers need time to work on the ground, and the short and few rounds robbed everyone of a more conclusive ending. Having just three rounds for a title bout instead of the typical five is also a disservice to the elite grapplers competing.
Fornarino and Moura put on a show, as did the second title bout in Renato Canuto vs. Ethan Crelinsten, but if unknown regional MMA fighters and jiu-jitsu athletes can compete for 25 minutes, there’s no reason the best grapplers in the world should only get 15.
This issue was also evident on their last event, with Nicky Rod vs. Mason Fowler producing a controversial draw that might’ve been avoided if it was five rounds.
Canuto wins title; Gilbert Burns quickly submitted at UFC BJJ 12
In the UFC BJJ 12 co-main event, former welterweight title contender Renato Canuto dropped to lightweight and was successful in his second shot a title. The local star took on Simple Man Martial Arts (formerly B-Team) standout Ethen Crelinsten, and won a hard fought decision.
Other standouts from UFC BJJ 12 include Thaynara Victoria and Landon Elmore, who both picked up impressive first round wins against Danielle Kelly and Max Livingston, respectively.
Longtime UFC veteran Gilbert Burns also returned to UFC BJJ for his second grappling match with the promotion since retiring from mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, things didn’t go his way as he was submitted early by Gabriel Almeida.
Check here for full results and highlights from UFC BJJ 12.
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