Mikey Musumeci, a former ONE grappling champion, has signed with the UFC to help popularize jiu-jitsu and plans to transition to mixed martial arts in the future, prioritizing the growth of jiu-jitsu under the UFC banner before pursuing MMA competition.
Grappling sensation Mikey Musumeci has his sights set on MMA, but there’s a twist. Before diving into the octagon, he wants to elevate jiu-jitsu under the UFC banner. Quite a noble mission, right?
Musumeci, a former ONE grappling champion, recently inked a unique deal with the UFC. He’ll be showcasing his skills on their UFC Fight Pass Invitational shows. His first match? December 5th against Felipe Machado in Vegas. Talk about starting with a bang!
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Musumeci shared his vision: “It’s all so incredible to me,” he exclaimed. His dream is to transform jiu-jitsu into a more professional sport. Titles? He’s got enough of those. Now, it’s all about legacy and impact.
Being part of the world’s leading MMA organization could open doors for Musumeci’s future transition to MMA. And he’s definitely intrigued by the idea. “I have the desire to maybe do MMA again in the future,” he mused. His body feels young—like 20 or 21—thanks to staying steroid-free.
Joining the UFC means training with top-tier athletes, learning new skills like wrestling and takedowns. It’s a dream come true for someone whose first love was MMA. But first things first: grow jiu-jitsu. A gift from God, as he puts it.
Musumeci envisions an MMA game inspired by Ryan Hall, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Khamzat Chimaev. Quite the mix! Training with Gilbert Burns and Brandon Moreno only sharpens his arsenal further.
“Got amazing people around me,” Musumeci said, emphasizing his commitment to jiu-jitsu’s growth before any crazy ventures into MMA. Priorities straight, eh?
His stint with ONE Championship was unforgettable—a chapter filled with lessons and gratitude towards Chatri Sityodtong for the opportunities there. Yet, after a harrowing weight cut incident, it was time for new horizons.
ONE’s diverse cards introduced fans to various martial arts, including jiu-jitsu—a concept Musumeci appreciated. Now, the UFC aims to expand grappling’s reach even further.
The UFC provides grapplers a "safer" platform to compete—something Musumeci values highly amidst the chaos of other organizations. Safety and professionalism are key for him.
Leaving ONE undefeated in seven matches, Musumeci takes on Felipe Machado next during UFC 310 week in Vegas. The pressure? Immense, but he thrives on it.
“I have so f***ing pressure this time,” Musumeci laughed off the nerves. Pressure fuels him—it’s like dying and being reborn stronger each time. Expect a hungry Musumeci aiming for victory!