“Their grappling is so far superior” - Demetrious Johnson explains the risks he’s willing to take against Mikey Musumeci
ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson is currently sitting confidently amongst the very best in MMA history. The former UFC world champion further cemented his GOAT status by avenging his only career KO loss against Adriano Moraes at ONE on Prime Video 1.
At this point in his career, Johnson has very little to prove or do to further cement his legacy. ONE Championship, with its multi-martial arts approach to combat entertainment, offers 'Mighty Mouse' many new fun things to try as his career nears its end.
One such thing is a possible submission grappling match with newly-crowned ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion, Mikey Musumeci. In an interview with MMA journalist The Schmo, Demetrious Johnson spoke about a match with 'Darth Rigatoni':
"Mikey, he’s travelling the world, he’s an amazing athlete, the world champion. I think he’s the first legit world champion in an organisation that covers grappling. There’s a lot that goes into competing against Mikey Musumeci as a grappler. I think the biggest thing that I have to look at [when] grappling him is obviously the injuries that can sustain from grappling him. Those guys, their grappling is so far superior than mine, which I’m totally fine with, that’s their bread and butter. The leg locks, the knee locks, the heel hooks - it’s a risk I’ll have to take, which I’m totally fine talking [about]."
Watch his full interview here:
Despite the risk of injuries, Demetrious Johnson still willing to face Mikey Musumeci in a grappling match
In the same interview, Demetrious Johnson further expounded on the possible submission grappling superfight with Mikey Musumeci:
"But I don’t know if ONE Championship’s gonna risk that and say ‘Hey, we’re gonna have our champion grapple our grappling champion, if he tears his ACL being he’s 36-years-old, he might be done.’ Yeah, I might be done, but if you guys want me to do it, I’ll do it, just know that’s what’s on the line."
It's true that leglocks and other attacks on the lower limbs can mean an injury waiting to happen. Heel hooks, knee bars, toe holds and foot locks can easily cause ligament tears when done with impunity. Against a leglock master like Musumeci, Johnson understands the risks his 36-year-old body might be getting into.
This, however, hasn't stopped him from willingly taking the fight. This level of courage and reckless abandon is what makes him a celebrated champion.