Episodes 1-4 Recap | UFC BJJ: Road to the Title

Team Musumeci

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carlos Henrique (4) 

Isaac Doederlein (8) 

Kyvann Gonzalez (7)

Danilo Moreira (3)

WELTERWEIGHTS

Aaron Wilson (8)

Davis Asare (3)

Nathan Haddad (7)

Jason Nolf (5)

The attention then turned to the UFC APEX, and the first lightweight matchup, as eighth seed Isaac Doederlein of Team Musumeci faced off against the top seed, Keith Krikorian of Team Gabriel.

Thankfully, the pasta didn't cause Doederlein any issues on the scale as he and Krikorian both had no problems making weight. Then, it was on to match day.

Doederlein may have been the lowest-seeded lightweight in the competition, but Musumeci had full faith in his man, who had captured BJJ world titles in the gi. The big question was whether Doederlein could translate his gi grappling to the no-gi competition of UFC BJJ. 

And after a back-and-forth match that saw the momentum swing one way, then the other, Doederlein and Krikorian grappled all the way to the scorecards, with an exhausted Doederlein claiming the victory by decision. In the end, Doederlein's constant pressure and persistent leglock threat proved the difference-maker after three competitive rounds as he upset the pre-tournament seedings with a hard-earned victory.

Oranday and Asare were "interviewed" by their teammates ahead of the fight, and when it was suggested the match could end in 30 seconds, Oranday said, "I think we both know it's going to be a little harder than 30 seconds. I think neither one of us will tap each other in 30 seconds. I honestly think it's probably the toughest match at 170, first round."

As it turned out, the match did last a little longer than 30 seconds, but not by much, as Asare locked up a foot lock to force the tap after 66 seconds.

Progressing to the welterweight semifinals: Davis Asare (Team Musumeci)

Episode 4: Bowling 'em over

The fourth episode saw the teams take to the bowling alley as Team Musumeci went head-to-head with Team Gabriel, with the two captains wagering on the outcomes of each head-to-head matchup. Then, later in the episode, lightweights returned to the spotlight as Team Musumeci's fourth-ranked Carlos Henrique took on Team Gabriel's fifth-ranked Gianni Grippo.

Unusually, it was a fresh matchup as, despite being pitched on the same side of the draw in multiple tournaments, their paths have never crossed in competition.

Henrique entered the matchup as the bigger man after cutting down to hit the 155-pound limit. Meanwhile, Grippo arrived on the scale comfortably inside the lightweight limit as he weighed in at 152 pounds.

Henrique started in a positive mood as he took the action to Grippo, who looked to attack off his back. But, after a closely contested opening round, the finish came in the second, as Henrique smartly avoided Grippo's attempts to initiate a leg entanglement to move into north-south position. He then transitioned into an anaconda choke to force the tap from a disappointed Grippo.

Watch UFC BJJ: Road To The Title Episode 5 Here

It meant that Henrique earned another win for Team Musumeci as he moved into the semifinals, where he'll take on teammate Isaac Doederlein for a place in the lightweight finale. Team Musumeci has dominated the action so far, with three of the first four quarterfinal matchups going the way of "Darth Rigatoni's" team. 

But with four more spots to fill in the lightweight and welterweight semifinal brackets, it's all to play for as we get set for the second half of the season.

As for the bowling, Team Musumeci won that, too...

Progressing to the lightweight semifinals: Carlos Henrique (Team Musumeci)