Mikey Musumeci – First American To Win Multiple BJJ World Titles

Mikey Musumeci is the first and youngest American to win multiple BJJ World Championship titles. This pro-record-holder has earned the IBJJF World Championship Title four times as a black belt. Winning two of them in the featherweight division and the other two in the rooster weight division.

Musumeci was born to be a BJJ practitioner. Usually, people try their hands at different martial arts, but he only worked on BJJ from the very beginning. Musumeci’s eagerness to win is evident when he is on the mat. His techniques are famous in the world of BJJ and show that he settles for nothing less than victory. Musumeci is definitely one of the best grapplers in the modern BJJ world.

Musumeci has knowledge of many BJJ techniques, showing his raw talent for BJJ. However, he has done a lot of hard work to earn his place in the list of notable BJJ professors and legends at such a young age. This young champion was born in Marlboro, New Jersey, USA on July 7, 1996.

When you are optimistic, passionate, and have dreams, you do not waste time thinking about how to do it. In fact, you start working on it without making excuses. Musumeci started training and learning BJJ when he was just four years old.

Under the supervision of Fernando Cabeça, Musumeci became a highly trained young grappler at Fatijo’s Martial Arts Training Center. As Musumeci’s primary focus was to become the world’s best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, he utilized all that time and effort to learn new BJJ skills.

When Musumeci was 10 years old, the family had to move to Wellington, Florida. He found his new coach, Marcelo Ribeiro, to further train him in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Musumeci could not continue the training further as Ribeiro decided to move to Texas.

Though it was difficult moving from one place to another, Mikey did not lose interest in BJJ. At last, he received tutelage from a new coach, Emyr “Shark” Bussade. Finally, Mikey earned the green belt, and subsequently the blue belt while training at Bussade’s academy.

In the initial phase of Musmeci’s career as a juvenile blue belt, he won various IBJJF tournaments. Finally, with his training from Bussade’s academy, Musumeci managed to win the IBJJF World Title.

Musumeci’s passion peaked while he was training at Bussade’s academy. He used to attend different seminars focusing on BJJ training. Through the seminars, Musumeci got the chance to meet the Mendes brothers and managed to build a strong relationship with the pair. He does not hesitate to visit their gym every now and then, receiving tips from Mendes brothers as he continues to learn more about BJJ.

The relocation of Mikey’s family continued further south to Miami. Musumeci started his training under Javill Byron and received the purple belt from Byron.

At this point of his career, where Musumeci was excelling as a BJJ champion, his family again had to relocate to Boca Raton, Florida. He reunited with and continued his training under Bussade. He also received training at ATT Aventura from another coach, Jonatas Gurgel.

As Mikey Musumeci had gained much experience and become a master of BJJ, he started working as a coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center. Musumeci’s sister, Tammi, also joined him as she was beginning to make a big name for herself in the world of BJJ. The Musumeci siblings also got to meet Gilbert Burns as their training partner.

Musumeci maintained his relationship with the Mendes brothers throughout his family’s constant relocations. Mikey frequently visits their training center, Art of Jiu-Jitsu. Due to the Mendes brothers' efforts, Mikey finally received the brown belt from Guilherme Mendes. This took place shortly after Mikey won the 2014 World Title as a purple belt.

Musumeci’s success continued to rise as his win count increased with time. Throughout Musumeci’s career, he never got demotivated due to having to move around different places and receiving training from various masters. Also, Musumeci respects every trainer he works with and makes sure to stay in contact no matter what.

Musumeci maintained regular visits to AJ Sousa’s Gym. In the same year, he secured yet another victory at the World Championship event in 2015. Given to him by both Gilbert Burns and Jonatas Gurgel, Musumeci earned his black belt at the age of 18.

Musumeci continued his journey as a BJJ champion during his first year as a black belt.

His winning streak continued as Musumeci entered every BJJ tournament he could. At the American Nationals, he defeated Joao Miyao, one of the best BJJ athletes and competitors of his generation.

Musumeci, however, didn’t manage to win the 2016 World Championship. He lost the match fighting against Isaac Doederlein.

Musumeci was not happy with his current training regiment and decided to change the academy. Eventually, he picked Caio Terra to be his new instructor. Caio Terra is considered among the world’s best BJJ grapplers in BJJ arts.

Musumeci trained hard and learned several new techniques which helped him win several competitions in a row. In 2017, Musumeci won the IBJJF European Championship and the Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship. He won the IBJJF World Championship, securing his first world title as a black belt.

Musumeci continued winning in the year 2018 as well. His dominance was observed in all his matches. In the 2018 World Championship, Musumeci won against all his competitors. His name was immortalized in BJJ history by becoming the first American black belt to win two world championship titles consecutively.

Musumeci came back to fight in 2019 after losing much weight and competing in the rooster weight division this time. As the World Championship went on, Musumeci faced Bruno Malfacine in the semifinals, who held a record of winning the World Championship 10 times. He won the match against Malfacine by scoring 10 points against eight points.

Again, history was made when Rodnei Barbosa tapped out because he was trapped in an ankle lock by Musumeci. This match ended in 30 seconds, marking another world title that Mikey had won again.

Musumeci wanted to test himself and prove to the world that an athlete’s size is not what determines victory in BJJ. He believes that BJJ is a martial art where techniques and skills matter more than size. With this belief, Musumeci fought in various tournaments in the absolute weight division in 2020. He won two matches but lost in the finals against the world champion at the time, Mahamed Aly by advantage. Despite losing the match, Musumeci won the hearts of millions and amazed the BJJ world.

After achieving all that he could at such a young age in gi BJJ championships, Musumeci tried his luck in no-gi BJJ tournaments. There was little change in his top-class performance after his transition to no-gi BJJ.

Musumeci appeared at Who's Number One (WNO 7) for the first time as a no-gi competitor. He defeated one of the top grapplers in no-gi BJJ, Marcelo Cohen in 2021 by using an armbar/triangle.

In his second no-gi match, Musumeci modified aspects of the heel hook and ankle lock to create a newly invented form against Lucas Pinheiro. The lock became known as the “Mikey Lock.” The second match was won by Mikey Musumeci via submission.

In 2021, Musumeci won another world title after defeating Bruno Malfacine in the final round by earning more points. This was another historic moment in Mikey Musumeci’s career.

Musumeci has developed one of the best skillsets thanks to the versatile training he received from various mentors. His guard is one of the most famous in the BJJ world.

From the time when Musumeci was training with the Mendes brothers, he learned how to execute his favorite technique, the Berimbolo.

Musumeci’s guard game further flourished during his training tenure under Caio Terra.

In addition, the crab ride and foot locks, particularly the botinha technique, were further developed by Musumeci. Talking about modern BJJ techniques and moves, Musumeci’s guard is considered one of the best among famous BJJ athletes.

Musumeci made his transition to and debut in ONE Championship on Friday, April 22, 2022, against the leg-lock master and Imanari roll inventor Masakazu Imanari. He showed off his techniques and skills that helped him win his debut match. Musumeci won a $50,000 reward after the match.

After getting into a dominant position, Musumeci managed to trap Imanari in a rear naked choke, forcing Imanari to submit.

After showing clear dominance in the match, Musumeci won against Cohen via triangle choke. This was Musumeci’s debut match in no-gi BJJ.

Musumeci’s match against Pinheiro is when he introduced and used the Mikey Lock to win against his opponent. The match did not last long as Musumeci was fast enough to trap the opponent using a modified inside heel hook and ankle lock.

In his intense match against Ary Farias in the 2018 World Championship, Musumeci emerged the winner. Ary Farias, a pro BJJ, and MMA star gave it his all during the match. However, Farias could not match Musumeci’s techniques. Musumeci was able to take the control of his opponent and managed to get behind. Ultimately, Musumeci won the match by earning more points than his opponent.

• Four-time IBJJF World Champion
• IBJJF Pan Champion
• Two-time IBJJF European Open Winner
• Two-time IBJJF American Nationals Winner
• IBJJF World No-Gi Champion
• AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion
• AJP Grand Slam, LA Winner

• Two-time IBJJF World Champion
• Two-time IBJJF Juvenile World Champion
• Two-time IBJJF Pan Champion
• Two-time Juvenile Pan Champion
• IBJJF Juvenile World No-Gi Champion
• IBJJF Juvenile Pan No-Gi Champion

Mikey Vs Seif-Eddine (2020)

Mikey Vs João Miyao - World Championship (2017)

Mikey Musumeci Vs Richard Alarcon (2021) – Mikey Introduces the Mikey Lock

Mikey Vs Bruno Malfacine - World Championship (2021)

Mikey VS Rodnei Barbosa - World Championship (2019)

Mikey Vs Orlando Castillo (2020)

Photo credit: @mikeymusumeci