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Mikey Musumeci's victory over Gabriel Sousa at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, marked a pivotal moment in his distinguished career. Competing at bantamweight, the reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion needed just over three minutes to defeat Sousa in front of a sold-out crowd at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
In this highly anticipated rematch, "Darth Rigatoni" forced his Brazilian rival to submit with a rare calf slicer. The victory was not only a display of technical skill but also an intensely personal and emotional triumph for Musumeci.
After the match, Musumeci's emotions overflowed, leading to an unusually fiery post-fight interview. The American grappling star admitted that his anger had taken over, underscoring how much the rematch with Sousa meant to him.
Sousa had persistently harassed Musumeci, discrediting his achievements and accusing him of avoidance. These provocations deeply affected Musumeci, bringing back memories of similar encounters from his childhood. This connection to his past fueled his determination to win decisively.
“It was just more about me finally shutting him up. The day before, he tried to make me flinch. He was walking chest out with me. And he brought out a part of me from when I was a kid,” Musumeci explained.
“I’m not really a tough guy, and my whole life competing with these alpha-macho people, and they always would act tough, and I like action. So it just brought out me as a kid, always dealing with this type of people.”
With his redemption achieved and the burden of his initial loss to Sousa lifted, Musumeci is now ready to move forward. His victory at ONE 167 not only showcased his technical prowess but also highlighted the emotional journey behind his win. As he continues his career, this triumph over Sousa will undoubtedly stand as a testament to his resilience and determination.
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