UFC BJJ 2: Youth vs Experience: Will Tackett Survive Canuto’s Veteran Pressure?

If UFC BJJ 1 planted the seed, then UFC BJJ 2 is the moment we find out where BJJ goes under the UFC.

Scheduled for July 31, 2025, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the second installment of the UFC’s grappling-only series features a serious headline: Andrew Tackett vs. Renato Canuto for the welterweight title. And make no mistake, this one is going to be fireworks.

On one side, you’ve got the 22-year-old Texan prodigy Andrew Tackett. All gas and no brakes, riding high off his stunning run at UFC BJJ 1, where he tore through three seasoned opponents and submitted them all. On the other hand, you've got Brazilian powerhouse Renato Canuto. A two-time IBJJF world champion with ice in his veins and a highlight reel that spans continents.

It’s youth versus experience. Explosiveness versus control. And it might just be the match that sets the tone for UFC BJJ’s future.

A Title Defense With Real Stakes

Let’s take a step back. UFC BJJ is still a newborn in the world of competitive grappling, but it’s not crawling. It’s sprinting.

In June, UFC BJJ 1 launched with a bang during International Fight Week. Tackett blitzed through the bracket, submitting Andy Varela, Jason Nolf, and Aaron Wilson to become the first-ever UFC BJJ welterweight champion.

Three wins. Three finishes. One shiny new belt.

Now, UFC BJJ 2 marks a huge first for the promotion: its first title defense. And they’re not easing Tackett into the role. They’re throwing him into the fire against a man who hasn’t lost a step in almost a decade.

Canuto Is No Warm-Up Fight

Renato Canuto isn’t just “a guy with medals." He’s a technician with a swagger. A showman who backs it up. His resume reads like a grappler’s dream: IBJJF World Champion (twice), Kasai Pro standout, Fight Pass Invitational killer.

He’s taken out elite names like Nicky Ryan and PJ Barch, and he’s done it with flair.

At 29, Canuto might not be the fresh-faced rookie anymore, but don’t let that fool you. He is in his athletic prime. He moves like a lightweight, grips like a vice, and grapples like a man who’s logged 10,000 hours (because he has).

Where Tackett brings chaos, Canuto brings calculation. This fight could easily turn into a wild sprint or a masterclass in control. Either way, it’s the kind of matchup that forces fans to pick sides. And that’s what epic rivalries are built on.

Style Clash: Controlled Chaos vs. Calculated Pressure

What makes this bout such a gem is the contrast.

Tackett is known for his pace. The kid doesn’t stop moving, wrestling scrambles, inside trip attacks, back takes that come out of nowhere. He is a handful for even the most experienced black belts. Add in his confidence and you’ve got someone who doesn’t just want to win, he wants to finish and make a statement.

Canuto? He’s the storm anchor. Watch his past matches and you’ll see a grappler calm in the chaos. He’s happy to sit in the fire, wait for the perfect moment, and then strike. His passing is surgical, his guard is tricky, and his ability to recover from rough spots is world-class.

This isn’t just two talented grapplers duking it out. It’s two philosophies colliding. Fast and furious versus smooth and deadly.

We’re in for a treat.

What’s at Stake

Besides the belt, this fight carries weight for the entire future of UFC BJJ.

If Tackett retains, the UFC has a golden boy to build around, young, marketable, exciting, and homegrown. He could be the face of this newly formed league.

But if Canuto shuts him down? That sends a different message: experience and pedigree still rule the day. It legitimizes the division in a different way, showing that this isn’t just a showcase for rising stars, but a battleground for established legends.

Also on the line? Momentum. UFC has already mapped out three events for 2025, BJJ 2 in July, BJJ 3 in October, and BJJ 4 in December. A banger main event in July could set the tone for the rest of the year.

Why You Should Be Watching

Let’s be honest, if you’re a fan of submission grappling, this is an absolute must-see.

The UFC putting this much behind a pure BJJ product is new. It’s risky. And it’s exciting.

They’ve got production value. They’ve got real athletes. And now, they’ve established storylines.

This fight is more than just another match. It's the sport testing itself on a much larger stage.

Can Tackett carry the torch into the next generation? Or does Canuto show the world that flashy doesn’t beat fundamentals?

Prediction? Let’s Just Enjoy It

Whether you’re Team Tackett or Team Canuto, one thing’s for sure, July 31 will be electric.

Don’t be surprised if this match trends online, dominates Reddit threads, and sparks debates in gyms around the world.

This is what BJJ fans have been waiting for: a platform, a rivalry, and a reason to care.

So grab a drink, pull up the event, and get ready. Because UFC BJJ 2 might just be the night grappling officially levels up.