Mikey Musumeci

Early Life and Career

Michael Musumeci Jr. was born on July 7, 1996, in Marlboro, New Jersey, and comes from Italian ancestry. He started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at the age of 4 alongside his sister Tammi, under the guidance of coach Fernando "Cabeça" at Fatjo's Martial Arts Academy. At the age of 10, his family moved to Florida, where he continued his BJJ training at various academies.

During a seminar, he met Rafael and Guilherme Mendes of Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ), with whom he formed a long-lasting relationship. Musumeci won IBJJF world championships at every belt level, starting from juvenile blue belt. In 2014, Guilherme Mendes awarded him his brown belt right after his 2014 purple belt world title while on the podium. He received his black belt from Gilbert Burns in 2015 when he was just 18 years old.

Mike Musumeci’s Career as a Black Belt

Musumeci won several championships over the years, including the World No-Gi Championship and the Pan American Championship in 2016. He also won the UAEJJF World Pro at black belt in the 62 kg weight class in 2017 and the World Championship in the Lightfeather division the same year. He became World Champion for the second time in 2018, and then won the World Championship two more times in 2019 and 2021, fighting in a lower-weight division.

In March and May 2021, Musumeci made his debut in Who's Number One, winning both matches by submission. In June 2021, he won a unanimous decision victory against Edwin 'Junny' Ocasio. Musumeci participated in the WNO Championships tournament for the promotion's Lightweight title, but was eliminated in the opening round. In October 2021, he competed for the inaugural WNO Bantamweight title and won it by submitting Richard Alarcon with a leglock, which has since been named 'The Mikey Lock'. Musumeci was set to make his debut in the 2022 ADCC World Championship but had to withdraw due to injury. In 2021, Musumeci and his sister Tammi joined Pedigo Submission Fighting to train under Heath Pedigo.

Mike Musumeci’s Career in ONE Championship

Mikey Musumeci defended his WNO Bantamweight title against Estevan Martinez, winning by unanimous decision in January 2022. He then signed with ONE Championship and moved to Evolve MMA in Singapore. Musumeci made his ONE debut on April 22, 2022, in a grappling bout against Masakazu Imanari, where he won via rear-naked choke and received the 'Performance of the Night' bonus.

He went on to face Cleber Sousa for the inaugural ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship on October 1, 2022, and won the match and the belt via unanimous decision. Musumeci defended his title against Gantumur Bayanduuren on January 14, 2023, and won by unanimous decision, although Bayanduuren suffered severe leg injuries during the match.

Musumeci is scheduled to make his second title defense against Osamah Almarwai at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, 2023.