Mikey Musumeci is spearheading a movement to bring BJJ to a wider combat sports audience. With his storied career and commitment to refining the sport’s appeal, Musumeci suggests that rule modifications might be essential to make BJJ resonate with MMA fans.
The Historic Partnership with UFC
Musumeci’s exclusive UFC contract represents a watershed moment for submission grappling. Traditionally sidelined in favor of striking and wrestling in MMA, BJJ now finds itself at the forefront of the UFC’s expansion into grappling.
“It’s a great honor for me to have this opportunity,” Musumeci shared in interview with Canal Encarnada. “Being the first person with an exclusive contract with the UFC for Jiu-Jitsu, it’s a great honor. I think I have this opportunity because of the values that I have in Jiu-Jitsu.”
For now, Musumeci will compete in the FightPass Invitational series, including his December 5th matchup against Felipe Machado. However, the UFC’s plans extend far beyond these events. “The UFC has a lot of big plans to grow the Jiu-Jitsu sport. They’re going to do a lot of other things. But I can’t talk about it now,” he explained.
The grappling sensation sees himself as more than just a competitor. “I really want to grow our sport in a good way. I can continue competing for many years. I think I can be a good example for other kids who want to do Jiu-Jitsu like me,” he added.
The Entertainment Factor
A self-aware advocate for BJJ, Musumeci acknowledges the sport’s shortcomings in captivating a broader audience. “Sometimes Jiu-Jitsu is very boring because it’s more complex,” he admitted. For MMA fans accustomed to high-octane striking and grappling exchanges, the slower pace of traditional BJJ can alienate casual viewers.
Musumeci emphasized the potentially devastating power of BJJ techniques, which are often underappreciated. “People need to understand how violent Jiu-Jitsu is. You can kill a person with a strangle. Jiu-Jitsu is very, very dangerous,” he said.
His mission is twofold: to demonstrate the technical brilliance of BJJ and to make its artistry accessible to an uninitiated audience.
Musumeci is pragmatic about BJJ’s evolution, advocating for rule changes that could make the sport more engaging for spectators. “Sometimes Jiu-Jitsu is very boring. People hitting heads, using their hands, it’s going to be very boring watching that,” he remarked. “So, you need to have two people looking to analyze the fight all the time. So, the rules need to change in the future for Jiu-Jitsu.”
Musumeci envisions a future where grappling can captivate fans on par with striking-based disciplines. His vision aligns with the UFC’s goal of creating a viewer-friendly product that balances martial arts integrity with entertainment value.
A Personal Journey
Musumeci’s rise in BJJ was not without challenges. Despite his talent, he nearly left the sport to pursue law school. “I really wanted to go to law school,” Musumeci admitted. “There was a lot of drama. A lot of things weren’t easy in Jiu-Jitsu. We didn’t have enough money. Many times, winning the black belt in the world in IBJJF, you don’t win anything.”
His mother, in particular, encouraged a more traditional career path. “My mom really wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer,” he explained. “Every year, she was saying, ‘You won enough degrees now! Please, go to law school now!’”
Yet, every time he considered quitting, new opportunities in BJJ appeared. “Every time I wanted to change, I had another opportunity,” Musumeci reflected. “It was like God wanted me to stay in this sport.” Today, he credits his perseverance as divine intervention. “I think that because of this, I have this opportunity as a UFC [fighter], as a ONE Champion. I think that God really wanted me to have this path in my life.”
Dream Matchups
Beyond his immediate commitments, Musumeci has expressed a keen interest in grappling matches with UFC stars like Charles Oliveira. “Charles Oliveira will be an honor for me because I’m a big fan of him,” Musumeci said. “When he was fighting for the UFC this time at Madison Square Garden, I was cheering for him a lot.”
He added, “His level of Jiu-Jitsu is incredible too. It would be an incredible experience if we can have a fight in the future of this event.”
While Musumeci remains focused on BJJ, he has not ruled out a future in MMA. “I really want to do that in the future. But the first thing I want to do is UFC grappling in the right way,” he shared.
Respect Over Trash Talk
Ahead of his match against Felipe Machado, Musumeci emphasized the importance of respect over promotional antics. “Felipe is a guy who has a lot of high-level Jiu-Jitsu, and I have a lot of respect for his Jiu-Jitsu,” he said. “I think he likes to talk a lot. So I don’t like his part. But if he needs to do that, that’s good for him.”
Musumeci sees the matchup as a chance for mutual growth. “The only thing I want to focus on is doing my Jiu-Jitsu. I’m going to fight with him showing the way to God. The right values that God wants for us.”
The Future of BJJ
Musumeci’s efforts to refine BJJ’s appeal could redefine its place in combat sports. By addressing the sport’s complexities and adapting its structure to captivate MMA fans, he aims to establish grappling as a marquee attraction. With the UFC’s backing and his leadership, BJJ could shed its niche status and achieve mainstream success.
UFC FPI happens December 5th on UFC Fight pass.
