Gabriel Sousa is ready to take the spotlight when he debuts in ONE Championship early next month. 

On Friday, June 7, the BJJ black belt is set to face ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci in a bantamweight contest at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and their battle will serve as the second chapter of their rivalry.

The pair squared off for the first time in 2021, with Sousa coming out on top via a north-south choke.

Gabriel Sousa set to extend his winning record against Mikey Musumeci

Much has changed over the past three years, but the Brazilian star is excited to run it back with his prolific foe on a huge platform like ONE Championship.

“It’s going to be very different. It will be on the ONE platform, something much bigger with a much larger audience and a much better structure,” Sousa said. 

“I’m happy for the opportunity and happy that Mikey agreed to fight me in a weight division above his. He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He fights at 61 kilograms and is moving up to the 66-kilogram division, so he can fight me. I have a lot of respect for him. His attitude speaks for itself. 

“I’m also very grateful to ONE for making this fight happen. I know that many people asked for this fight, and it will finally happen. Everyone stands to gain.” 

Mikey Musumeci’s impressive run

Musumeci hasn’t lost since that fateful matchup in 2021, and he has collected 14 straight wins on the mats, including a perfect 6-0 record in the world’s largest martial arts organization. 

During his run, “Darth Rigatoni” has defeated legends like Masakazu Imanari and Shinya Aoki, fellow BJJ black belts Cleber Sousa and Osamah Almarwai, and former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks.

After firmly establishing his dominance at flyweight, the American will hope to do the same at bantamweight. But Sousa won’t be short on confidence, given he’s already defeated him once.

The Essential Jiu-Jitsu standout knows that another win over Musumeci on ONE’s stage could elevate his career to unimaginable heights, especially with the reputation that his old foe has established.

While they may be completely different fighters from when they first met, Sousa will, undoubtedly, hold a certain mental edge in their battle at ONE 167.