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Mikey Musumeci, a grappling prodigy, has made waves by joining the UFC, but his primary goal remains clear: to elevate jiu-jitsu to new heights. The former ONE Championship grappler signed a groundbreaking deal with the UFC to feature in their UFC Fight Pass Invitational, kicking off with a clash against Felipe Machado on December 5 in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on his journey, Musumeci expressed his ambitions during UFC 309 weekend at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s all so incredible to me,” he shared. “We’re trying to change the sport... I want to create a professional space where future generations can earn enough to thrive. That’s my dream.”
While his focus is on growing jiu-jitsu, Musumeci hasn’t ruled out an eventual transition to MMA under the UFC banner.
“The first thing I loved in life was MMA,” he revealed. “If I can fight MMA in the UFC, it would be a dream. But I can’t leave jiu-jitsu before making it something bigger for others.”
Musumeci is confident in his ability to adapt, noting his youthful body and clean lifestyle. Training alongside elite fighters like Gilbert Burns and Brandon Moreno, Musumeci is developing a hybrid style influenced by Ryan Hall, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Khamzat Chimaev.
Musumeci’s tenure with ONE Championship was pivotal, featuring seven wins, including victories over legends like Shinya Aoki and Jarred Brooks. Despite parting ways after a harrowing weight-cutting incident, he remains grateful.
“ONE was an incredible part of my life,” he acknowledged. “I learned so much and am thankful for the opportunity Chatri [Sityodtong] gave me.”
Now, under the UFC’s umbrella, Musumeci sees a safer and more structured environment for grapplers.
“The UFC has plans to grow grappling, offering a platform for athletes to be safe and succeed,” he said. “It’s a dream to help this sport grow.”
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