“It limits the growth of jiu-jitsu” - Mikey Musumeci says reliance on steroids actually stunts grappling ability
Reigning and undisputed ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion 'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci of the United States is not a believer in the use of PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) in jiu-jitsu.
Although some jiu-jitsu competitions don't drug test athletes, and actually openly allow PEDs use, Musumeci says that it is a hindrance to growth as a jiu-jitsu practitioner.
The 27-year-old Italian-American says it's because using PEDs forces athletes to rely on unnatural strength, rather than focus on improving technique.
Speaking to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in a recent guest appearance on The MMA Hour, Musumeci explains why he never even thought of using PEDs as a jiu-jitsu athlete.
'Darth Rigatoni' stated:
"Basically it limits the growth of jiu-jitsu, for sure. Because the technical ability that you need, the technical amount of jiu-jitsu you need, is limited because you're on so much steroids. So that was actually a huge advantage I had, because I didn't take steroids. I got significantly more technical than all the people that are on it."
Today, Musumeci is one of the most revered jiu-jitsu fighters in the world, and is the reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion. And the 27-year-old superstar will get the chance to add even more gold hardware to his mantle in his next fight.
Mikey Musumeci targets double gold, to face Kade Ruotolo for lightweight strap at ONE 168: Denver
'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci will look to make history as the first-ever two-division ONE submission grappling world champion when he takes on fellow American Kade Ruotolo.
The two elite grapplers go head-to-head at ONE 168: Denver, ONE Championship's highly anticipated return to U.S. soil.
The event broadcasts live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action of ONE 168 live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. It airs Friday night, September 6th, beginning at 8:00pm ET.