UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell started a controversy when he publicly challenged grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci to a submission match. Musumeci accepted, though with a pair of conditions.
Mitchell had been vocal in prior comments about his dislike for certain hallmarks of elite submission grappling, specifically guard pulling, butt scooting, and leg lock exchanges. Musumeci took those remarks and folded them directly into his acceptance.
Rather than dismissing Mitchell’s critique, Musumeci met it head on. He agreed to compete, but put two conditions on the table.
“I’m going to do zero leg locks in this match, since you said it’s gay. Let’s see what happens if I don’t have leg locks,” Musumeci said in a recent Instagram video. “And the second thing that’s going to happen is pulling guard and butt scooting. Since you said that’s gay also, I’m not going to pull guard or butt scoot.”
Stripping himself of two of the most dominant elements in his competitive arsenal, Musumeci acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with it.
“I really don’t know what’s going to happen. This is going to be a great match. And I think you’re an amazing opponent for me.”
Musumeci also joked about the matchup, noting, “Just like you said the earth is flat, I think you really are the only person that could beat me. Let’s do it.”
Mitchell left a comment under Musumeci’s original post, thanking him for accepting the challenge while making it clear he was willing to compete under the grappling ace’s preferred rules.
“You’re amazing too Mikey… thanks for the response… you can pull guard and do leg locks, I’m not worried about either brother. I’m here to win and I don’t care what the rules are I’m in,” Mitchell wrote.
Additionally, Mitchell responded to the acceptance with visible appreciation, writing on an Instagram post that the reply itself was unexpected.
“You are a great champion and I challenged you because you are the best in the game,” he wrote. “I’m surprised you even responded let alone accepted the match.”
Mitchell also posted a video praising Musumeci and saying that he looks forward to the matchup.
“I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for all BJJ competitors, especially one of the greatest to ever exist, Mikey Musumeci,” he said in a video announcement.
He was equally candid that his respect for Musumeci’s credentials does not mean he agrees with his methods on the mat.
“I don’t particularly like his style. That’s the only bad thing that I said about him. His style doesn’t matter. He could still beat me. I’m aware of that.”
On his motivation for issuing the challenge in the first place, Mitchell made it plain.
“The reason I challenged him is because I’m tired of seeing him beat everybody so easily. Now, that is not an insult. That is a compliment to his skill.”
He also made clear that Musumeci’s record does nothing to rattle him.
“I’m not intimidated by the resume. I don’t care. I know I’m capable of winning.”
With both athletes currently under separate contractual agreements, a date has not yet been set, and fans will need to allow some time for the organizational pieces to fall into place.
