Mikey Musumeci

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Mikey Musumeci
Musumeci in 2022
BornMichael Musumeci Jr.[1]
(1996-07-07) July 7, 1996 (age 27)[2]
Marlboro, New Jersey, U.S.[2]
NicknameDarth Rigatoni[3]
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight134 lb; 9.6 st (61 kg)
DivisionFeather / Rooster
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StyleBrazilian Jiu Jitsu
Team
Rankthird degree Black Belt in BJJ[9]
Notable relativesTammi Musumeci (Sister)[10]
Medal record
Representing  United States
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2021 California, USA − 57.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 California, USA − 57.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2018 California, USA − 64 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 California, USA − 64 kg
World No-GI Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 California, USA − 61.5 kg
Pan-American Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Florida, USA − 57.5 kg
European Championship
Gold medal – first place 2020 Lisbon, Portugal -64 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Lisbon, Portugal -64 kg
AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro
Gold medal – first place 2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE −62 kg
AJP Grand Slam World Tour
Gold medal – first place 2016 Los Angeles, USA −62 kg

Michael Musumeci Jr. (born July 7, 1996) is an American submission grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt competitor.[c]

A four-time World Champion and Pan American Champion in colored belts, Musumeci is a five-time IBJJF black belt World Champion (four times in Gi and once in No-Gi), and the first American to win more than one IBJJF World title at black belt.[11] He is currently signed to ONE Championship where he is the current flyweight submission grappling champion.

Early life[edit]

Michael Musumeci Jr. was born in Marlboro, New Jersey on July 7, 1996. Musumeci is of Italian ancestry.[12][d] He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at age 4 along with his sister Tammi at Fatjo's Martial Arts Academy under coach Fernando "Cabeça". When he was 10 his family moved to Florida. While training at various academies, he met brothers Rafael and Guilherme Mendes of Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ)[e] during a seminar, starting a long relationship with the brothers and their academy.[1] Starting at juvenile blue belt, Musumeci won IBJJF world championships at every belt level.[2] In 2014 Guilherme Mendes awarded 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 from Gilbert Burns.[11]

Black belt career[edit]

The following year Musumeci won the 2016 Pan American Championship at roosterweight followed by the World No-Gi Championship. In 2016 he switched team joining Caio Terra's association.[16] In 2017 Musumeci won the UAEJJF World Pro at black belt in the 62 kg weight class.[1] In 2017 he won the World Championship in the Lightfeather division. In 2018 Musumeci became World Champion for the second time.[11] Fighting in a lower weight division he won the World Championship two more times in 2019 and 2021.

2021[edit]

Musumeci made his Who's Number One debut on March 26, 2021, where he submitted Marcelo Cohen with an armbar from the triangle choke position.[17] On May 28, 2021 Musumeci returned to WNO, submitting Lucas Pinheiro with a heelhook.[18] Musumeci's third WNO match was against Edwin 'Junny' Ocasio on June 18, 2021, and Musumeci won the bout by unanimous decision.[19] Musumeci was then invited to compete in the inaugural WNO Championships event, taking part in the tournament for the promotion's Lightweight title.[20] Musumeci faced Gabriel Sousa in the opening round and was submitted by north-south choke, removing him from the competition.[21] 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.[22]

Musumeci was scheduled to make his ADCC debut at the 2022 ADCC World Championship after receiving an invite to the event.[23] During the build-up, the promotion staged their first 'Road to ADCC' event on July 17, 2021[24] where Musumeci faced fellow ADCC 2022 competitor Geo Martinez, beating him 6-0 on points.[25] After the conclusion of the match, both Martinez and his coach Eddie Bravo confronted Musumeci as they exchanged heated words on the mat.[26] He was forced to withdraw from ADCC 2022 as a result of injury,[27] but has since called for a rematch with Martinez regardless.[28] The pair were originally scheduled for a rematch on March 25, 2021,[29] 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.[30]

2022[edit]

Musumeci defended the WNO Bantamweight title against Estevan Martinez on January 21, 2022, winning by unanimous decision.[31] Soon after, he signed with ONE Championship.[32] After signing with ONE Championship, Musumeci switched gyms once again and moved to Singapore to train at Evolve MMA.[33]

After signing with ONE Championship,[34] Musumeci faced Masakazu Imanari in a grappling bout at ONE 156 on April 22, 2022. He submitted Imanari by the way of rear-naked choke,[35] and won the $50,000 'Performance of the Night' bonus as a result.[36]

Musumeci faced Cleber Sousa for the inaugural ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship on October 1, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 2.[37] Musumeci won the match and the belt via unanimous decision at the end of the 10 minutes.[38]

2023[edit]

Musumeci was scheduled to make his first title defense against Sayan Khertek on January 14, 2023, at ONE on Prime Video 6.[39] However, Khertek forced to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Gantumur Bayanduuren.[40] Musumeci defeated Bayanduuren by unanimous decision and retained his title.[41] 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.[42]

Musumeci was scheduled to make his second title defense against Osamah Almarwai at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, 2023.[43] He won the match by rear-naked choke at 8:03 and retained the flyweight title.[44]

Musumeci defended his flyweight submission grappling title against Jarred Brooks at ONE Fight Night 13 on August 5, 2023.[45] He won the match with an armbar and retained his title.[46]

Musumeci competed against Shinya Aoki in an openweight grappling match at ONE Fight Night 15 on October 6, 2023.[47] He won the match by submission, with an Aoki lock.[48]

2024[edit]

In February, 2024, Musumeci announced that he was leaving Pedigo Submission Fighting and would be joining Cobrinha BJJ to train under Rubens Charles Maciel.[49]

Musumeci will compete against Gabriel Sousa in a bantamweight match at ONE 167 on June 7, 2024.[50]

Musumeci will challenge Kade Ruotolo for his ONE lightweight submission grappling title on September 6, 2024, at ONE 168: Denver.[51]

The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition Season 2[edit]

Musumeci will compete for the second season of The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition

Personal life[edit]

Musumeci is of Italian descent and started using the nickname 'Darth Rigatoni' to reference both that and his love of pasta after a fan came up with the idea.[52]

His sister, Tammi Musumeci, is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor.[53]

On November 5, 2023, Musumeci announced a partnership deal with Meta.[54]

Accomplishments[edit]

Main Achievements (Black Belt)[11]

Main Achievements (Colored Belts)[11]

  • IBJJF World Champion (2015 brown, 2014 purple, 2013/2012 juvenile blue)
  • IBJJF Pan American Champion (2015 brown, 2014 purple, 2013/2012 juvenile blue)
  • IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2011 blue juvenile)
  • IBJJF Pan American NoGi Champion (2011 blue juvenile)

Career record[edit]

25 Matches, 23 Wins (11 Submissions), 2 Losses (1 Submission), 0 Draws
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Date Location
Win 22-2 Japan Shinya Aoki Submission (inside heel hook) ONE Fight Night 15 October 7, 2023 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
Win 21–2 United States Jarred Brooks Submission (triangle armbar) ONE Fight Night 13 August 5, 2023 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
Win 20–2 Saudi Arabia Osamah Almarwai Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE Fight Night 10 May 5, 2023 United States Broomfield, Colorado
Win 19–2 Mongolia Bayanduuren Gantumur Decision (unanimous) ONE Fight Night 6 January 14, 2023 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
Win 18–2 Brazil Cleber Souza Decision (unanimous) ONE on Prime Video 2 October 1, 2022 Singapore Kallang, Singapore
Win 17–2 Japan Masakazu Imanari Submission (rear naked choke) ONE 156 April 22, 2022 Singapore Kallang, Singapore
Win 16–2 United States Estevan Martinez Decision (unanimous) Who's #1: Craig Jones vs. Pedro Marinho January 21, 2022 United States Dallas, Texas
Win 15–2 Brazil Bruno Malfacine Decision (points) IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship: Finals December 12, 2021 United States Anaheim, California
Win 14–2 United States Richard Alarcon Submission (leg lock) Who's #1: The Return of Gordon Ryan October 20, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Loss 13–2 Brazil Joao Gabriel Sousa Submission (north south choke) 2021 FloGrappling WNO Championship: Day 1 September 25, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Win 13–1 United States Geovanny Martinez Decision (points) Road to ADCC July 18, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Win 12–1 United States Edwin Ocasio Decision (unanimous) Who's #1: Craig vs. Ruotolo June 18, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Win 11–1 Brazil Lucas Pinheiro Submission (inside heel hook) Who's #1: Gordon Ryan vs. Luiz Panza May 28, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Win 10–1 United States Marcelo Cohen Submission (triangle armbar) Who's #1: Gordon Ryan vs. Vagner Rocha March 26, 2021 United States Austin, Texas
Loss 9–1 Brazil Mahamed Aly Decision (points) European Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship 2020 January 25, 2020 Portugal Lisbon, Portugal
Win 9–0 Brazil Francisco Jonas Andrade Decision (split)
Win 8–0 Brazil Diego Oliveria Batista Submission (straight ankle lock)
Win 7–0 United States Suraj Budhram Submission (arm-in ezekiel choke)
Win 6–0 United States Joseph Lee Submission (omoplata) World Jiu Jitsu Festival: Day 1 October 5, 2019 United States Long Beach, California
Win 5–0 Brazil Rodnei Barbosa Submission (straight ankle lock) 2019 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship June 2, 2019 United States Long Beach, California
Win 4–0 Brazil Bruno Malfacine Decision (Points)
Win 3-0 Japan Koji Shibamoto Decision (Points)
Win 2–0 Brazil Ary Farias Decision 2018 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship June 3, 2018 United States Los Angeles, California
Win 1–0 Brazil João Miyao Decision 2017 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship June 4, 2017 United States Los Angeles, California
Source[63][1]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ From 2016 to 2020[5]
  2. ^ until 2016[6]
  3. ^ under Gilbert Burns[11]
  4. ^ Musumeci mentioned his Italian ancestry on the Joe Rogan Podcast JRE MMA Show No. 127.[13][14]
  5. ^ at the time affiliated with ATOS[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Michael Musumeci | BJJ Heroes".
  2. ^ a b c "Michael Musumeci | FloGrappling".
  3. ^ Wheaton, Timothy (2022-09-16). ""It was just the coolest name ever" - Mikey Musumeci explains the origin of the 'Darth Rigatoni' nickname". Sportskeeda.
  4. ^ Burne, Kathrine. "Dante Leon, Tammi And Mikey Musumeci Join Pedigo Submission Fighting". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Mikey & Tammi Musumeci Have Left Caio Terra Association". 26 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Tammi and Mikey Musumeci Leave Atos / Art of Jiu-Jitsu, Join Caio Terra".
  7. ^ Jones, Phil. "Mikey Musumeci Moves To Singapore To Train At Evolve MMA". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  8. ^ Blackett, Todd. "Mikey Musumeci Starts Training Under Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  9. ^ Jones, Phil. "Mikey Musumeci Promoted To Third Degree BJJ Black Belt By Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  10. ^ Burne, Kathrine. "The Greatest BJJ Brothers And Sisters". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Mikey Musumeci". BJJ Fanatics. 2021-02-08.
  12. ^ "Steroid Expert Examines The Curious Case of Mikey Musumeci's Pizza, Pasta & Acai Diet". Bjj Eastern Europe. 2021-03-12.
  13. ^ "JRE MMA Show #127 with Mikey Musumeci". Spotify. 2022-07-20.
  14. ^ Sharma, Nikhil (2022-07-22). "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champ Mikey Musumeci Opens Up On Only Eating Pizza & Pasta". MiddleEasy.
  15. ^ Jones, Phil (2022-04-16). "Opinion: Art Of Jiu-Jitsu Shows The Secret To Long-Term Success". Jitsmagazine.com.
  16. ^ "Caio Terra Believes Mikey Musumeci Can Beat Anyone, Offers $10k To Prove It". Jiu-Jitsu Times. 2020-02-14.
  17. ^ "Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha Full Results and Review". 27 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Luiz Panza Full Results and Review". 29 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Tye Ruotolo Full Results and Review". 19 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Who's Number One Lightweight Championships Full Lineup Announced". 23 July 2021.
  21. ^ "WNO Championships Full Results and Review". 27 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Phillip Rowe Full Results and Review". 21 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Latest Surprise ADCC Invite Given to Mikey Musumeci". 10 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Full Lineup Announced for First Road to ADCC Superfight Event". 19 June 2021.
  25. ^ "The Road To ADCC Full Results And Review". July 18, 2021.
  26. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Confronts Geo Martinez at Road to ADCC as Rivalry Heats up". 19 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Pulls Out of ADCC 2022 with Injury". 6 June 2022.
  28. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Wants Rematch with Geo Martinez". 27 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Gets Rematch with Geo Martinez". 24 February 2022.
  30. ^ "Dante Leon, Tammi and Mikey Musumeci Join Pedigo Submission Fighting". 19 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Pedro Marinho Full Results And Review". January 22, 2022.
  32. ^ Wynne, Lucy (2022-03-06). "Mikey Musumeci Signs with ONE Championship". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  33. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Moves to Singapore to Train at Evolve MMA". 26 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Signs with ONE Championship - Grappling Insider". grapplinginsider.com. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  35. ^ "Video: Mikey Musumeci submits Masakazu Imanari, wins $50K in ONE Championship debut - Grappling Insider". grapplinginsider.com. 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  36. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Earns $50k for Submitting Masakazu Imanari at One 156". 24 April 2022.
  37. ^ Ben Imperial (2022-08-16). "ONE on Prime Video 2 to crown the inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion featuring Mikey Musumeci and Cleber Sousa". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  38. ^ "Mikey Musumeci beats Cleber Sousa to capture first-ever ONE submission grappling world title - Grappling Insider". grapplinginsider.com. 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  39. ^ Ben Coate (2022-12-13). "Mikey Musumeci To Defend World Title Against Sayan Khertek At ONE On Prime Video 6". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  40. ^ Bear Frazer (2023-01-03). "Mikey Musumeci Draws New Challenger For ONE Fight Night 6; Full Card Released". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  41. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Defends Title with Brutal Leg Attacks at ONE Fight Night 6". 14 January 2023.
  42. ^ Jones, Phil (18 January 2023). "Gantamur Bayanduuren Reportedly Suffered Four Severe Injuries In Mikey Musumeci Leg Attacks". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  43. ^ Ian, Rollo (14 February 2023). "Mikey Musumeci To Defend Title Against Osamah Almarwai At ONE Fight Night 10". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  44. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Defends Title Again At ONE Fight Night 10". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  45. ^ Burne, Kathrine. "Mikey Musumeci To Defend Title Against Jarred Brooks At ONE Fight Night 13". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Defends Flyweight Title At ONE Fight Night 13". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  47. ^ Blackett, Todd. "Mikey Musumeci To Face Shinya Aoki At ONE Fight Night 15". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  48. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Submits Shinya Aoki With An Aoki Lock At ONE Fight Night 15". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  49. ^ Blackett, Todd. "Mikey Musumeci Starts Training Under Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  50. ^ de Souza, Diogo. "Mikey Musumeci vs Gabriel Sousa Rematch Booked For ONE 167". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  51. ^ "Kade Ruotolo vs. Mikey Musumeci booked for ONE 168 in Denver - Grappling Insider". grapplinginsider.com. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  52. ^ Jones, Phil. "The 20 Best BJJ Nicknames". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  53. ^ Phillips, Sabrina. "Tammi Musumeci Talks About Bianca Basilio Match And Training With Mikey". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  54. ^ Burne, Kathrine. "Mikey Musumeci Announces Partnership With Meta". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  55. ^ "Mikey Musumeci Being Officially Recognized as World Record Holder for Fastest Submission". 14 December 2020.
  56. ^ "2021 World BJJ results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  57. ^ "World BJJ 2018 Results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  58. ^ "World BJJ 2017 Results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  59. ^ "Pan 2016 Results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  60. ^ "European Championship BJJ results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  61. ^ "World 2016 No-Gi results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  62. ^ "UAEJJF Grand Slam Tour, Los Angeles 2016 Results". BJJ Heroes. 2016-09-04.
  63. ^ "Mikey Musumeci ("Darth Rigatoni") – Fighter Page". Tapology. 1996-07-07.
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