Mikey Musumeci has already conquered the flyweight division in ONE Championship and he is looking to move up for new conquests at ONE 168: Denver on Friday, September 6.
But he is not just moving up one division. Musumeci is challenging himself by going all the way to lightweight to challenge Kade Ruotolo for his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Musumeci is setting the expectations high for what could be the biggest BJJ contest in the sport’s history.
“I’m never just defending. I’m just forward every second. I’m literally the Rodtang of jiu-jitsu. But that’s my style. I’m literally going for the finish every second. Yes, I am a butt-scooter. Like, I do pull guard, but I’m forward every second looking to sub the person,” Musumeci told ONE.
“And Kade is the same way, but on top. He’s always looking to sub the person from top. So you have two guys that are looking to sub each other that are always forward in this match. Isn’t that the most exciting match, then?”
There is immense respect from “Darth Rigatoni” when it comes to his opponent, but he will not let that dictate how he goes after the submission.
The 28-year-old is adamant that he is taking into account every possibility for ONE 168.
“I always constantly speak so well of the Ruotolos because they’re so versatile with their attacks. But I am going to go forward. I’m gonna attack. It doesn’t matter the opponent I’m attacking, I just have to prepare and make my attack safe for their counterattack because they have very good counterattacks,” the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion remarked.
“That’s one thing I’ll give away. Every exchange I do with Kade, I already have in my mind every possibility of how Kade could counter-attack me. So there’s nothing unexpected. And I’m gonna choose the exchanges that we do very wisely. That’s all I’ll say. Because, again, they’re so dangerous with their counters, and that’s why I have 1 million moves.”
Although Musumeci likens himself to Rodtang, he makes it a point to clarify that this is still a thinking man’s sport. “Darth Rigatoni” has been trying to envision every scenario so that he can employ his aggression effectively inside the Ball Arena.
“My whole game is attacking. Like, I don’t know how not to attack. So I’m still planning to attack. I’m gonna go for the kill with Kade every second. It’s scary. It’s crazy. But like I told you, I have to choose every sequence very wisely. And that’s up to me in my training right now to see, like, can I get countered here with a flying armbar, with a D’arce choke, with a flying something? That’s how the Ruotolos are,” Musumeci said.
“And, I think that this match, and Chatri [Sityodtong] said it too, is gonna be the most watched match in jiu-jitsu history and probably the most exciting match in jiu-jitsu history because of that thing.”
The title tilt could also possibly decide who is the best pound-for-pound BJJ star on the planet today.
Both Ruotolo and Musumeci have been peerless in their respective divisions, and the matchup exemplifies the ideals of what jiu-jitsu truly is, according to the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion.
“I’m the best in the world at 135. And Kade’s the dominant best in the world at 170. He’s been dominating everyone at 170. In any other sport, because it’s standing, like wrestling, striking, it would be impossible for this scenario to happen. It would just be zero chance. But because we’re in jiu-jitsu, a guy can go three weight classes up, David versus Goliath, and fight the heavier person. And, again, like I keep saying, there is a chance I can win. There’s a chance that the little guy could beat the big guy. So I think that’s what’s beautiful about jiu-jitsu,” Musumeci stated.
Musumeci’s bid to become the lightweight king is not only about the gold, but about continuing to pursue excellence.
At ONE 168: Denver, he hopes to make history and be a role model for everyone looking for inspiration.
“What makes me excited is to keep growing. That’s what makes me excited, to keep training and learning. Fighting the same people in your weight class for, like, 10 years, that is not exciting to me. It’s a waste of time. But for me to do this heavy division where there’s so much doubt – can I do it? That’s what I love – the uncertainty and doubt and pushing myself and dropping my ego. Can I do this? I don’t know. We’ll see,” the BJJ ace said.
“But if I do it, amazing. I make history. If I can’t, awesome. I get back up and I get better and I learn from it, and I go on to the next one.”
ONE 168: Denver airs live on Friday, September 6, on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Remaining tickets are available via Ticketmaster.