Mikey Musumeci teases MMA transition after Kade Ruotolo scrap: “We'll go down that road in the future”
Reigning and undisputed ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci of the United States feels he has already reached the pinnacle of his BJJ career. With a victory over Kade Ruotolo next weekend, the 28-year-old Italian-American superstar says he may explore something new in his career.
Speaking to Cageside Press in a recent interview, Musumeci once again opened up on the possibility of transitioning to mixed martial arts, an idea that he will revisit once he gets past Ruotolo at ONE 168.
'Darth Rigatoni' said:
"Because I'm fighting Kade, and I'm having to match with Kade, there's no way I could focus on Muay Thai right now. Sometimes I'll do Muay Thai on my rest days for fun because I love it. I really do enjoy training Muay Thai, but we'll go down that road in the future, after this match."
Musumeci has been training in Muay Thai, learning from none other than Rodtang himself, in preparation for a potential MMA switch.
'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci will go for champ-champ status when he takes on fellow American Kade Ruotolo for the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title.
The two lock horns at ONE 168: Denver, which broadcasts live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Friday, Sept. 6.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. Those who want to watch in-stadium can secure tickets via Ticketmaster. Limited seats are available.
Mikey Musumeci says match with Kade Ruotolo is just "two guys that are looking to sub each other"
He may be underselling it a little bit but Mikey Musumeci says his upcoming cross-divisional showdown with Kade Ruotolo at ONE 168: Denver could be just two competitors who want to tap each other out.
In reality, this upcoming lightweight submission grappling showdown could end up being the most-watched jiu-jitsu match in history.
'Darth Rigatoni' told ONE:
"And Kade is the same way, but on top. He’s always looking to sub the person from top. So you have two guys that are looking to sub each other that are always forward in this match. Isn’t that the most exciting match, then?"
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding ONE 168: Denver as it happens.