“Stay strong” - Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon sends his love as Mikey Musumeci recovers from a torn lung
The friendship between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Mikey Musumeci continued to break language barriers and time zones.
After Musumeci was diagnosed with a torn lung, the reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion showed love to his close friend, who's been staying in the hospital for almost a week.
Rodtang took to Instagram to share his support for the former ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion and told Musumeci that he's still arguably the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist on the planet.
The Thai megastar wrote:
"Brother, you are the best BJJ fighter in the world. Stay strong. I am supporting you always. ❤️👊"
Mikey Musumeci was supposed to be part of ONE Championship's live return to the United States at ONE 168: Denver, but he failed to make weight and pass hydration for the past weekend's card at Ball Arena.
'Darth' Rigatoni was originally scheduled to challenge Kade Ruotolo for the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title, but the latter pulled out of the card due to injury.
Two-time BJJ world champion Bebeto Oliveira then stepped in on short notice to replace Ruotolo. The fight, however, was turned into a world title defense of Musumeci's flyweight submission grappling throne.
Musumeci was confident he could make weight and pass hydration for his match against Oliveira but ultimately failed on the scales and was subsequently stripped of his belt.
Despite losing his gold and suffering a medical scare, Musumeci remained steadfast and is now focused on his recovery.
Mikey Musumeci downs an entire box of pizza while in recovery from torn lung
Mikey Musumeci continues to prove that he's capable of superhuman things.
While some patients lose their appetites while staying in the hospital, Musumeci proved the opposite and downed an entire box of pizza while recovering from pneumomediastinum.
He wrote on his Instagram Stories:
"When the doctors in the hospital wanted to give me an IV, I told them just get me a pizza and I'll be all good 💀 shoutout to my mom for bringing me my favorite pizza @signorapizza @florianapastore to the hospital ❤️😭"
Musumeci suffered from pneumomediastinum after he tried to execute Rickson Diaphram Training during fight week for ONE 168: Denver.