Still King : The Fowler Reign Continues

Mason Fowler Dominates at UFC BJJ 9: Defends Light Heavyweight Title and Calls Out Future Targets

The UFC APEX in Las Vegas was home to another masterclass in elite grappling on June 4, 2026, as reigning UFC BJJ Light Heavyweight Champion Mason Fowler successfully defended his crown at UFC BJJ 9.

Facing a dangerous, athletic, and highly aggressive challenger in Devhonte Johnson, Fowler did what he does best: applied systematic pressure, shut down the offense, and hunted for the finish.

The Match: Quick Work in the Main Event

While Johnson stepped onto the mats looking to create chaotic scrambles and disrupt the champion's rhythm, Fowler's world-class positional control proved to be too much to overcome.

Fowler wasted no time imposing his heavy top pressure and tactical dominance. Before the opening round could even hit the halfway mark, the Caio Terra black belt systematically advanced position, isolated the back, and locked in a tight Rear Naked Choke. The tap came swiftly at 2 minutes and 29 seconds, securing Fowler another successful title defense and reinforcing his status as the division's standard-bearer.

What’s Next? Fowler Identifies His Targets

With Johnson handled, Fowler is already looking ahead to the massive matchups looming at 205 pounds. In his post-fight interview, the champion did not mince words about who he wants next, zeroing in on two elite names: Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa and heavyweight powerhouse Nick Rodriguez.

Addressing his future plans, Fowler outlined his ideal matchmaking trajectory based on long-standing callouts and a burning desire to avenge past losses.

"Yeah, before I came in here, I was planning on fighting Hulk next. He's a match that I've called for many times. I think that's a good match for the division..."

While a clash with "Hulk" has been on Fowler's radar for a while, the shifting landscape of the light heavyweight division has introduced an incredibly compelling alternative. Nicky Rod—who also competed and won via first-round rear naked choke on the very same UFC BJJ 9 card—has officially dropped down to 205 pounds, setting up a potential blockbuster rematch.

"...but I don't know, Nicky Rod also dropped to 205. So I think that's a really interesting match for sure to do at some point, especially because he has that win over me. It was a really close match. So those would be the two guys that I would want."

The Verdict

Fowler’s historic run on the UFC Fight Pass and UFC BJJ platforms continues to gather momentum. Whether the promotion decides to book the highly requested matchup against Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa or set up a massive, high-stakes rematch against Nick Rodriguez to avenge his past Fight Pass Invitational loss, Fowler has made one thing perfectly clear: he is ready for anyone at light heavyweight, and the belt isn't leaving his waist anytime soon.