3 Reasons Why Mikey Musumeci Might Be The World’s Most Exciting Grappler

On Friday, January 13, Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci will defend his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title for the first time when he takes on 2022 Combat Sambo World Champion Gantumur Bayanduuren. That co-main event match at ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov on Prime Video will mark “Darth Rigatoni’s” third appearance inside the Circle, and thus another opportunity to showcase his elite jiu-jitsu talents to a global fanbase. 

Before Musumeci and Bayanduuren tango at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, let’s dive into what makes the New Jersey native such an entertaining athlete.

#1 Back-Takes From Everywhere 

 Between 2017 and 2021, Musumeci won an incredible four IBJJF Black Belt World Championships in the gi. During that time, he developed a reputation as arguably the planet’s best berimbolo specialist. 

 A complicated technique that involves inverting under his opponent’s legs to eventually achieve full back control (the most dominant position in grappling), Musumeci’s berimbolo has made plenty of elite competitors look like white belts. 

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 And in his ONE debut, the 26-year-old showed off a new wrinkle to his back-taking game when he effortlessly moved to back control from top half guard against Masakazu “Ashikan-Judan” Imanari before finishing him with a rear-naked choke moments later.

#2 Innovative Leg Locks

More than just a back-taker, “Darth Rigatoni” is a feared leg locker. His use of the butterfly-hook ankle lock throughout his career has revolutionized BJJ, proving that straight ankle locks – once thought to be largely ineffective at the black belt level – can and do work when applied with the correct breaking mechanics.

 Moreover, Musumeci continues to innovate new techniques in the area of leg locks. He recently unveiled the “Mikey lock,” a modified heel hook in which he uses his head and neck to twist his opponent’s leg in knee-snapping manner. 

 Simply put, fans shouldn’t be surprised if they see the American pull an entirely new trick out of his hat each time he steps on the mat.

#3 Speedy Submission Hunting 

 The BJJ phenom loves to go after the submission finish early and often. 

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 Case in point, he holds the world record for the fastest-ever submission in the final of an IBJJF Black Belt World Championship. In 2019, Musumeci needed just 12 seconds to apply his trademark butterfly hook ankle lock to capture yet another BJJ World Title.