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Mikey Musumeci, once a dominant force in the ONE Championship flyweight grappling division, has been stripped of his title after a weight-cutting disaster forced him into the hospital. Scheduled to defend his title against Bebeto Oliveira at ONE 168 in Denver, Musumeci’s attempt to meet the weight requirement ended in a dangerous medical emergency, leading to his hospitalization and the loss of his championship belt.
Originally, Musumeci was set to face Kade Ruotolo at 170 pounds, but Ruotolo’s withdrawal due to injury just days before the event set a new challenge. The revised matchup required Musumeci to cut to 135 pounds, an extreme adjustment that proved difficult.
Musumeci failed to gain weight and did not pass the hydration test—leading to the automatic stripping of his title. The true gravity of his situation became clear when Musumeci took to social media on Saturday, revealing that he had been hospitalized with pneumomediastinum, a serious condition caused by air escaping into the chest area.
“I have pneumomediastinum, which means I had a tear in my lung...air got into my chest and then into my neck,” Musumeci shared. He expressed shock, stating, “This is a life-threatening condition, and if I would have competed, I could have died.” In a heartfelt moment of reflection, he added, “So first I was upset, now I’m full of gratitude to be alive...God protected me.”
Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship’s CEO, released a statement offering support to Musumeci during this difficult time. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to the health and safety of its athletes, highlighting that Musumeci’s well-being is a top priority.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers athletes face when cutting weight, especially in high-stakes competitions. Musumeci’s near-death experience will undoubtedly prompt further discussions on fighter safety and weight-cutting regulations in the sport.
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