Gabriel Sousa, a distinguished IBJJF world champion hailing from Brazil, is preparing for his highly anticipated debut in ONE Championship where he will be facing Mikey Musumeci, also known as ‘Darth Rigatoni’. Notably, Sousa emerged victorious in their previous encounter and is now gearing up for a rematch in the world’s largest martial arts organization at the age of 27.
In a recent interview with ONE Championship, Sousa conveyed his admiration for Musumeci, acknowledging the latter’s esteemed reputation as one of the best in the world. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to face Musumeci in a bantamweight showdown, which is a weight division above his usual category, stating, “He does not need to prove anything to anyone.”
Despite his respect for Musumeci, Sousa is confident in his ability to deliver a repeat performance and aims to secure another victory by submitting his rival once again. The highly anticipated match between Gabriel Sousa and Mikey Musumeci is set to take place at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video. Viewers in the United States and Canada can watch the action live and for free on Friday, June 7th, in prime time on Amazon Prime Video.
Sousa has also pledged fans an enthralling showdown, asserting that they will witness an entirely new side of him as he faces Musumeci. As the reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion, Musumeci has been a dominant force in ONE Championship. Nevertheless, Sousa emphasizes that he brings a different style to the table, stating, “Our fighting styles are different. I like takedowns and I like passing guard. Mikey, on the other hand, likes to play guard and take the back or attack footlocks.”
The clash between Sousa and Musumeci promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle, with both athletes showcasing contrasting styles and techniques in the Circle. Fans can expect a thrilling match when these two unlikely rivals face off in the world of martial arts. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for the latest news and updates leading up to the event.