Mikey Musumeci, also known as “Darth Rigatoni,” is a big name in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling. Plying his trade with finesse, Musumeci has gained two great milestones, especially in the ONE Championship and the IBJJF circuits, through skilled talent from his relentless work ethic and colorful personality. A deeper look into his life, career, and accomplishments is presented herein.
Early Life and Introduction to BJJ
Mikey Musumeci was born on July 7th, 1996 in Marlboro, New Jersey. At four years old, he started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alongside his sister Tammy Musumeci, who is also one of the most decorated BJJ competitors. Their shared passion for the sport fostered a competitive environment that fueled Mikey’s development.
As a teenager, Musumeci’s dedication to perfecting the grappling art started to take form; he began competing in several high-profile tournaments from various parts of the globe. Over the year, his technical sharpness and innovative game plans shaped him into a prodigy of the sport.
Career Highlights
Dominance in IBJJF Competitions
Musumeci first gained widespread recognition on the IBJJF circuit and piled up several World Championships. He holds the record for the fastest submission in an IBJJF World Championship black belt final, showing clearly that he is effective and prolific on the mat.
His list of accolades includes the following:
1. 4x IBJJF World Champion (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
2. 2016 No-Gi IBJJF World Champion
3. European Open and Pan-American Champion
That gained him the reputation as one of the most successful and highly respected athletes in the sport.
Success in ONE Championship
In 2022, Musumeci made the jump to ONE Championship and shifted his focus to submission grappling. A flyweight competitor, he has indeed carved a niche in quite a very short time as one of the most dominant individuals within the flyweight division that led him to win the first-ever ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship. Some key wins in ONE Championship are:
Gantumur Bayanduuren and Osamah Almarwai defended his title in 2023
This also includes a highlight-reel victory against Shinya Aoki with a submission move known as the “Aoki Lock” in October 2023.
Most of Musumeci’s matches are celebrated for their high level of strategy, and thus most of them are highly watched, as in his bout with Bayanduuren, which became the second-most viewed grappling match in ONE’s history.
2024: A Year of Transition and Ambition
In 2024, Musumeci chose to continue his career with great changes: he left Pedigo Submission Fighting for Cobrinha BJJ under Rubens Charles Maciel. Such a decision shows his constant strive for development and improvement. He has also announced switching to another organization, the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, and his first performance is expected in December 2024 with Felipe Machado. Musumeci also disclosed his plans for consolidating his legacy in nogi grappling with fights arranged against the cream of the crop, including Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis and Gabriel Sousa.
Personal Life and Interests
Mikey Musumeci is charming, and his nature is quite relatable. He loves pasta, which gave him his nickname “Darth Rigatoni.” He is a fan of Star Wars and balances his tough training regime with interests in his life.
Musumeci is committed to the proliferation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu outside of competitions. He has recently created a partnership with Meta, using his platform to bring grappling to a wider audience through unique collaborations.
Legacy and Impact
Mikey Musumeci reinvented what it means to be a jiu-jitsu competitor. He is truly a role model, considering his technical mastery, along with his humility and dedication. Dominating the mats in IBJJF, thrilling audiences in ONE Championship, or venturing out for new challenges in UFC Fight Pass, Musumeci continues to astound fans with his relentless pursuit of excellence in every avenue. As he prepares for future challenges, fans eagerly await his next chapter in the world of submission grappling and beyond.