Renato Canuto will face Ethan Crelinsten for the vacant UFC BJJ lightweight title at UFC BJJ 12 on October 8.

UFC BJJ promoted the matchup in a recent video featuring Canuto, known as “The Hybrid,” confirming his latest title opportunity.[1]

Lightweight Title Fight Rescheduled from UFC BJJ 10

Canuto vs Crelinsten was originally announced for UFC BJJ 10 on August 20 as a vacant lightweight title fight.[2]

However, the bout did not appear on the final UFC BJJ 10 card and the title fight was not held. It has now been rescheduled for UFC BJJ 12.[3][5]

UFC BJJ 10 instead featured Andrew Tackett vs Jonnatas Gracie for the welterweight title, along with the women’s featherweight title bout and the women’s flyweight grand prix.[3]

Canuto Gets Another Title Opportunity

This will not be Canuto’s first UFC BJJ title fight.

At UFC BJJ 2 in 2025, he challenged welterweight champion Andrew Tackett but lost by first-round D’Arce choke.

Canuto later returned to competition and defeated Yonathan Cardenas by decision at UFC BJJ 7.

He will now move down to lightweight and attempt to win the vacant title.

Ethan Crelinsten Provides a Different Matchup

Ethan Crelinsten has been a regular presence in the North American no-gi scene and brings a different style to the matchup.

Canuto is known for dynamic passing, movement, and scrambling, while Crelinsten is comfortable working from guard and attacking through leg entanglements.

That creates a clear tactical contrast, with Canuto likely looking to create movement from top position while Crelinsten tries to slow the match down and build attacks from underneath.

Canuto’s move down from welterweight also adds another variable, particularly in terms of pace and physicality.

UFC BJJ 12 Set for October 8

UFC BJJ 12 will take place on October 8 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.

Alongside Canuto vs Crelinsten, the card is also expected to feature Cassia Moura vs Adele Fornarino for the inaugural women’s flyweight title, as well as Gilbert Burns vs Gabriel Almeida and Danielle Kelly vs Thaynara Victoria.[5]

For Canuto, the bout represents a second chance to win a UFC BJJ title, this time in a new weight class.

Sources

[1] There are few smoother than The Hybrid — Renato Canuto challenges for the Lightweight title! — UFC BJJ

[2] Três disputas de cinturão lideram o UFC BJJ 10 — UFC

[3] UFC BJJ 10: Tackett vs Gracie Fight Card — UFC

[4] UFC BJJ 11: Musumeci vs Mitchell Fight Card — UFC

[5] UFC BJJ 12: Moura x Fornarino | Card completo, horário e onde assistir — UFC