Mikey Musumeci, the current reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion, has been making significant strides in the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With five IBJJF world championship titles to his name, he has yet to be defeated within the Circle. Now, under the moniker of ‘Darth Rigatoni’, he is preparing for a new challenge as he delves into the realm of mixed martial arts, drawing inspiration from the renowned Thai legend Saenchai, known for his methodical approach to Muay Thai.
Recently, Musumeci took to his Instagram stories to share his insights following a lesson from the 30+ year veteran, Saenchai. He underscored the strategic elements of Muay Thai, drawing comparisons to techniques in jiu-jitsu. Musumeci conveyed his enthusiasm for learning Muay Thai and transitioning to MMA, acknowledging the similarities in the mechanics of different martial arts.
Scheduled to make his promotional debut in May 2022, Mikey Musumeci has already left a strong impression in the ONE Championship. His submission victory over Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari caught the attention of many, and he has since added five more wins to his resume, including triumphs over notable figures such as Gantumur Bayanduuren and Osamah Almarwai.
Musumeci’s recent victories have been particularly remarkable. He secured a rear-naked choke submission against current ONE strawweight MMA world champion Jarred Brooks, and subsequently defeated former lightweight MMA world titleholder Shinya Aoki in just over three minutes at ONE Fight Night 15. After establishing himself as one of the premier grapplers in the world, fans are eagerly awaiting Musumeci’s performance in the arena of mixed martial arts.
For those who may have missed the exhilarating action or desire to relive the epic moments from ONE Fight Night 15, the replay is available on demand via Amazon Prime Video in North America. It is an event that no martial arts enthusiast should overlook.
Mikey Musumeci’s transition from dominating in BJJ to embracing Muay Thai and MMA is a testament to his steadfast dedication to the martial arts. As he continues to develop and hone his skills, the world eagerly awaits his future performances in the realm of mixed martial arts.