“I could train a lot of stand up” - Mikey Musumeci open to potential crossover to MMA

Can you picture reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion 'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci of the United States as a mixed martial arts fighter? The 27-year-old jiu-jitsu black belt says he's leaving the door open for an MMA transition as soon as he takes care of business in the grappling realm.

ONE Championship is the perfect platform for jiu-jitsu competitors to transition to MMA, and Musumeci says he has seriously considered it.

Speaking to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in a recent guest appearance on The MMA Hour, Musumeci said transitioning over to MMA is a real possibility.

'Darth Rigatoni' stated:

"So I just have to finish these matches. And when I'm doing my division, I feel like I could train a lot of stand up. Because I don't really have to go out of my way and do a Rocky IV training, like I do now. To fight all these high level, heavier people. I have to be 100% jiu-jitsu now, but after this, [maybe]."

Musumeci has spent some time in Thailand, working on his striking with guys like ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon. But it's his close friendship with flyweight Muay Thai king 'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jitmuangnon that could help him develop his standup game.

Rodtang has offered to teach Musumeci the 'art of eight limbs' the next time he's in Thailand.

'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci to lock horns with Kade Ruotolo to become double champ at ONE 168: Denver

'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci has champ-champ status in his sights as he takes on ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo to claim his second ONE gold.

The two elite grapplers go to war at ONE 168: Denver, which takes place at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Friday, September 6th.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.