Mikey Musumeci gets new opponent, defends ONE gold against IBJJF world champ Bebeto Oliveira in Denver
Mikey Musumeci just touched down in Denver, but he'll face a different opponent than expected with his gold on the line.
The reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion will defend his throne against IBJJF world champion Bebeto Oliveira in the co-main event of ONE 168: Denver on Friday at Ball Arena.
Ariel Helwani first reported on the development after ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo, Musumeci's original opponent, pulled out of the card due to injury:
"ONE Championship has found a replacement opponent for Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168: Denver this Friday. Per sources, Musumeci will now be defending his Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship against 2024 IBJJF World Champion Bebeto Oliveira on Friday. This comes after Kade Ruotolo dropped out due to injury a few days ago. Both fighters are in Denver, the fight is signed pending both passing ONE's weigh-ins and hydration tests tomorrow morning."
ONE Championship subsequently confirmed Helwani's report on Instagram:
"BREAKING 🚨 With Kade Ruotolo out due to injury, Mikey Musumeci defends his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title versus 2024 IBJJF World Champion Bebeto Oliveira THIS FRIDAY at ONE 168: Denver on @primevideo! Who you got? @mikeymusumeci @bebetooliveira_bjj"
Musumeci was originally set to challenge Ruotolo for the lightweight submission grappling throne but the 21-year-old had to pull out of the match.
Nevertheless, Musumeci will instead have another chance to defend his world title against an opponent who recently reaped gold outside of ONE Championship.
Oliveira is a gold medal winner in the roosterweight class at the 2024 IBJJF World Championships and was a world champion at the 2021 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships.
Mikey Musumeci details how martial arts created his bond with close friend Rodtang
One of the most interesting and wholesome friendships in combat sports is the one between world champions Mikey Musumeci and Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
The two couldn't be any more different from one another, yet Musumeci and the ONE flyweight Muay Thai champ share a bond that breaks language barriers.
In an interview with Cageside Press, Musumeci explained how martial arts became their bridge despite the difference in languages:
"We get along really well. And it's so cool because we are [from] different martial arts right? He's Muay Thai, and I'm jiu-jitsu, but it just shows how it brings us all together in martial arts."
See the full interview below: