In a groundbreaking move for the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, UFC President Dana White has announced the signing of grappling superstar Mikey Musumeci to an exclusive deal with UFC Fight Pass. This marks the first-ever exclusive BJJ promotional agreement in the company’s history, signaling a significant expansion of UFC’s involvement in the submission grappling world.
Musumeci, widely regarded as one of the best BJJ practitioners globally, brings an impressive pedigree to the UFC platform. He is a multiple-time world champion and has remained undefeated at 135 pounds for the past eight years, cementing his status as a dominant force in the sport.
This signing comes on the heels of Musumeci’s recent departure from ONE Championship, where he made history as their first submission grappling world champion. During his three-year tenure with ONE, Musumeci experienced significant personal and professional growth, crediting CEO Chatri Sityodtong for providing unprecedented opportunities to elevate the sport of jiu-jitsu.
In a social media post, Musumeci reflected on his time in Asia, stating, “These past three years I have had some of the best memories and lessons of my life. I met so many incredible people in Singapore @evolvemma and in Thailand @arete_bjj and these people i will consider to be friends and family for life.”
The timing of Musumeci’s transition to UFC Fight Pass appears to align with his decision to return permanently to the United States, prioritizing family proximity while embarking on a new chapter in his competition career.
Dana White expressed his enthusiasm for the signing, stating, “I am excited to announce that we’ve signed Mikey Musimichi to the first ever exclusive BJJ promotional agreement in the company’s history. If you don’t know, Mikey is considered by many to be the best BJJ player in the world.”
White also hinted at future developments, adding, “This will be the first of many. We will sign over the coming months.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Musumeci in action under the UFC banner. He is set to make his Fight Pass Invitational debut against Felipe Machado on December 5th, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event will be streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new era for both Musumeci and the promotion.
