"We have better values" - Mikey Musumeci believes the BJJ community could 'do better' in upholding a PED-free sport
Mikey Musumeci understands that change starts from within.
If Brazilian jiu-jitsu or grappling in general wants to shake off its notorious association with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), then some drastic changes must be upheld by the community.
For 'Darth Rigatoni', it will take a complete culture change to eliminate doping from 'The Gentle Art'. It's a daunting task indeed, but not entirely impossible.
The reigning flyweight submission grappling world champion shared in an insightful interview with ONE Championship:
"I'm American, and America with our sports, like football and baseball, these certain sports, we have better values in these ways. So we could do better, us Americans, in what we're supporting. It's bringing out a bad quality in people right now who are supporting jiu-jitsu."
With submission grappling now more accepted in the mainstream, Mikey Musumeci continues his valiant stand against steroids.
It just so happens that the 28-year-old's next opponent is another prominent and vocal figure of a drug-free sport, Kade Ruotolo.
These two elite grapplers and perfect role models will clash in a can't-miss grappling superfight at ONE 168: Denver.
The victor will leave Ball Arena with the lightweight submission grappling belt in tow on September 6.
Mikey Musumeci weighs on the ethical concerns of PEDs in grappling
While ONE Championship regularly tests its athletes to ensure a fair playing field, the same cannot be said for other promotions, which seemingly turn a blind eye when it comes to this issue.
For Mikey Musumeci, doping is simply cheating, no matter where you look at it. He added:
"If you're in a certain organization that doesn't test. Yes, in your organization, it might be legal on paper, but you're still morally and ethically wrong."
Don't miss Musumeci and Ruotolo's epic grapplefest at ONE 168: Denver. Tickets for this stacked event are available via Ticketmaster.