Tackett Kept His Crown After Rocha Pushed Him the Distance
Andrew Tackett defeated Vagner Rocha by unanimous decision on April 2, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The UFC BJJ 7 main event required all three rounds and gave Tackett a third successful defense of the welterweight championship.
The matchup and early action
The pairing matched the twenty-two-year-old champion against a forty-three-year-old veteran with extensive grappling and MMA experience. Rocha’s defensive awareness made this a substantially longer assignment than Tackett’s previous title defenses.
Tackett attempted to establish early control through an ankle pick, while Rocha sprawled and tied up the action. Guillotine and leg-lock exchanges created threats without producing a quick submission for either competitor.
The decisive developments
The champion continued working from top position, but Rocha answered his leg attacks and remained active from below. In the second round, the veteran also gained time inside Tackett’s guard, showing that his offense remained relevant.
Tackett pursued the back and a rear-naked choke in the final round. Rocha defended and attempted a late ankle lock, forcing the champion to remain alert until the concluding horn.
What the result meant
The judges unanimously preferred Tackett after fifteen minutes. His title remained secure, while Rocha demonstrated that experience and precise defense could extend the champion through a complete match.
The event produced different outcomes in its other championship contests: Lucas Valente submitted Carlos Henrique for the lightweight belt, and Rebeca Lima defeated Aurelie Le Vern for women’s featherweight gold. Tackett was the defending champion who left with his title intact.
