Mikey Musumeci

Michael Musumeci Jr.(born July 7, 1996) is an Americansubmission grapplerandBrazilian Jiu-Jitsublack belt competitor.A four-time World Champion and Pan American Champion in colored belts, Musumeci is a five-timeIBJJFblack belt World Champion (four times inGiand once inNo-Gi), and the first American to win more than one IBJJF World title at black belt.He competed inONE Championshipwhere he was the flyweight submission grappling champion.
Michael Musumeci Jr. was born inMarlboro, New Jerseyon July 7, 1996. Musumeci is of Italian ancestry.He began trainingBrazilian jiu-jitsu(BJJ) at age 4 along with his sisterTammiatFatjo's Martial Arts Academyunder coach Fernando "Cabeça". When he was 10 his family moved toFlorida. While training at various academies, he met brothersRafaelandGuilherme MendesofArt of Jiu Jitsu(AOJ)during a seminar, starting a long relationship with the brothers and their academy.Starting at juvenile blue belt, Musumeci won IBJJF world championships at every belt level.In 2014Guilherme Mendesawarded him his brown belt right after his 2014 purple belt world title while on the podium. In 2015 aged 18, Musumeci received his black belt fromGilbert Burns.
The following year Musumeci won the 2016Pan American Championshipat roosterweight followed by theWorld No-Gi Championship. In 2016 he switched teams joiningCaio Terra's association.In 2017 Musumeci won theUAEJJF World Proat black belt in the 62 kg weight class.In 2017 he won the World Championship in the Lightfeather division. In 2018 Musumeci became World Champion for the second time.Fighting in a lower weight division he won the World Championship two more times in 2019 and 2021.
Musumeci made hisWho's Number Onedebut on March 26, 2021, where he submitted Marcelo Cohen with an armbar from the triangle choke position.On May 28, 2021 Musumeci returned to WNO, submitting Lucas Pinheiro with a heelhook.Musumeci's third WNO match was againstEdwin 'Junny' Ocasioon June 18, 2021, and Musumeci won the bout by unanimous decision.Musumeci was then invited to compete in the inaugural WNO Championships event, taking part in the tournament for the promotion's Lightweight title.Musumeci faced Gabriel Sousa in the opening round and was submitted by north-south choke, removing him from the competition.Musumeci then competed for the inaugural WNO Bantamweight title on October 20, 2021. He submitted Richard Alarcon with a leglock that has since been dubbed 'The Mikey Lock', and won the belt.
Musumeci was scheduled to make hisADCCdebut at the2022 ADCC World Championshipafter receiving an invite to the event.During the build-up, the promotion staged their first 'Road to ADCC' event on July 17, 2021where Musumeci faced fellow ADCC 2022 competitor Geo Martinez, beating him 6-0 on points.After the conclusion of the match, both Martinez and his coachEddie Bravoconfronted Musumeci as they exchanged heated words on the mat.He was forced to withdraw from ADCC 2022 as a result of injury,but has since called for a rematch with Martinez regardless.The pair were originally scheduled for a rematch on March 25, 2021,but the match was postponed and did not come to fruition.
At the end of 2021, Musumeci and his sister Tammi both changed gyms and joined Pedigo Submission Fighting to train under Heath Pedigo.
Musumeci defended the WNO Bantamweight title against Estevan Martinez on January 21, 2022, winning by unanimous decision.Soon after, he signed withONE Championship.After signing with ONE Championship, Musumeci switched gyms once again and moved to Singapore to train atEvolve MMA.
After signing with ONE Championship,Musumeci facedMasakazu Imanariin a grappling bout atONE 156on April 22, 2022. He submitted Imanari by the way of rear-naked choke,and won the $50,000 'Performance of the Night' bonus as a result.
Musumeci faced Cleber Sousa for the inauguralONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championshipon October 1, 2022, atONE on Prime Video 2.Musumeci won the match and the belt via unanimous decision at the end of the 10 minutes.
Musumeci was scheduled to make his first title defense against Sayan Khertek on January 14, 2023, atONE on Prime Video 6.However, Khertek forced to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Gantumur Bayanduuren.Musumeci defeated Bayanduuren by unanimous decision and retained his title.It came to light afterward that Bayanduuren suffered several severe injuries to his leg as a result of submission attempts by Musumeci during the match.
Musumeci was scheduled to make his second title defense againstOsamah AlmarwaiatONE Fight Night 10on May 5, 2023.He won the match by rear-naked choke at 8:03 and retained the flyweight title.
Musumeci defended his flyweight submission grappling title againstJarred BrooksatONE Fight Night 13on August 5, 2023.He won the match with an armbar and retained his title.
Musumeci competed againstShinya Aokiin an openweight grappling match atONE Fight Night 15on October 6, 2023.He won the match by submission, with an Aoki lock.
In February, 2024, Musumeci announced that he was leaving Pedigo Submission Fighting and would be joining Cobrinha BJJ to train underRubens Charles Maciel.
Musumeci competed against Gabriel Sousa in a bantamweight match atONE 167on June 7, 2024.He won the match by submission.
Musumeci was booked to compete in a superfight at the inauguralCraig Jones Invitationalon August 16-17.However, the match fell through and was cancelled.
Musumeci was set to challengeKade Ruotolofor his ONE lightweight submission grappling title on September 6, 2024, atONE 168: Denver.However, on September 1, it was announced that Ruotolo had withdrawn from the bout due to injury.
On November 2, 2024, Musumeci announced that he was no longer going to compete inONE Championship.Musumeci then signed an exclusive contract withUFC Fight Passand made his debut in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9 on December 5, 2024 against Felipe Machado.He won the match by decision.
Musumeci is of Italian descent. He is a Star Wars fan and started using the nickname 'Darth Rigatoni' to reference both that and his love of pasta after a fan came up with the idea.
His sister,Tammi Musumeci, is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor.
On November 5, 2023, Musumeci announced a partnership deal withMeta.
Main Achievements (Black Belt)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts)