Mikey Musumeci has made headlines for his candid criticisms of BJJ stars Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones. During the UFC 311 press conference, Musumeci didn’t mince words, addressing what he sees as the ethical shortcomings in the sport and their contributions to its current state.
A Mixed View of Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones
While Musumeci acknowledged the impact of Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones in popularizing BJJ, he criticized their approach and values. “Other people like Gordon, Craig, they definitely help the sport grow in different ways,” Musumeci admitted. However, he was quick to emphasize the ethical divide. “But I feel like what I’m doing right now is definitely the most important thing for grappling in terms of having a stable platform.”
Musumeci went further, expressing his concerns about the normalization of PEDs within the sport, which he believes compromises the integrity of BJJ. “Jiu-jitsu with people just talking about like they blatantly use PEDs, like it’s not—they’re not athletes. They really don’t have the values of martial artists,” he declared.
The Push for Professionalism in BJJ
A recurring theme in Musumeci’s remarks was his desire to elevate BJJ to the level of a professional sport, free of PEDs and ethical lapses. He described the sport as being stuck in what he termed a “barbaric amateur phase” and stressed the need for proper governance, d*ug testing, and professional standards.
“There’s a lot of horrible ethics, morals, and I hope now that with UFC we could change that,” he said. “We can make it a professional sport because it hasn’t been a professional sport.”
Musumeci views his partnership with the UFC as a pivotal moment for BJJ, one that could help establish a structured and ethical framework for the sport. “I feel that God gave me this gift and path of jiu-jitsu, and I need to first grow us in UFC to the point where we are professional athletes,” he explained.
Competing Against PED Users
Musumeci has been vocal about his personal experiences facing opponents who use PEDs, describing the physical and mental challenges involved. “They feel like a rock,” he said. Despite this, he believes his clean approach gives him an edge mentally. “I never cheated, took a shortcut, so I have a stronger mind than all those people. I knew that if I use my mind against theirs, my mind is always going to be stronger than theirs.”
He emphasized that introducing testing would force athletes to adapt. “We need d*ug testing,” he asserted. “That would force Darwinism, where people adapt or die, and we’ll finally see real athletes in the sport.”
The Responsibility of Leadership
As the first exclusive grappling signing for the UFC, Musumeci feels a deep responsibility to shape the future of the sport. His vision includes implementing championship belts for grappling divisions, creating career paths for young athletes, and setting ethical standards that align with martial arts values.
“I feel like what I’m doing is definitely the most important thing for grappling,” he said. His comments underscore his ambition not just to compete at the highest levels but to lead a movement toward a cleaner, more professional BJJ landscape.
A Test of Faith
Musumeci is aware that his outspoken nature has made him a polarizing figure in the BJJ community. “I feel like that’s a test from God to me, that I see bad and do I stay quiet just to have more friends in my life or do I speak up, have more enemies, more people hating me, but I can make a difference,” he reflected.
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy surrounding his remarks, Musumeci remains committed to his vision for the future of BJJ. Whether through his partnership with the UFC, his critiques of figures like Ryan and Jones, or his call for ethical reform, Musumeci is determined to leave a lasting legacy.
For Musumeci, the path forward is clear: a professional, ethical, and clean version of BJJ that can stand alongside other elite combat sports. As he continues to lead by example, the grappling world watches closely to see how his vision will unfold.
