‘Darth Rigatoni’ Mikey Musumeci contemplates changing his nickname

ONE’s flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci has become one of the biggest names in submission grappling. His achievements speak for themselves and he is recognized as an elite competitor and is a well-known name.

The 26-year-old has achieved so much in his career already and has broken new ground in the grappling world. At ONE on Prime Video 2 in October, he became ONE Championship’s first-ever submission grappling world champion.

Musumeci is also the first American to become an IBJJF world champion five times. It cannot be understated how much he has accomplished at such a young age; it will inspire athletes for years to come.

Away from competition, Mikey Musumeci has also become well known for his personality. As a totally unassuming elite martial artist, he trains for over half the day and lives off of a diet of pizza and pasta.

His nickname ‘Darth Rigatoni’ perfectly encapsulates his personality, but ahead of his next contest at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, Musumeci has had a change of heart. A new style of pasta has won him over.

In an interview with the Jiu-Jitsu Times, he said:

“I think I’m going to be Darth Bucatini this time! Because that’s a cooler pasta shape than rigatoni.”

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Mikey Musumeci welcomes competing against BJJ specialist

Mikey Musumeci is used to taking on all kinds of challengers with various skill sets, but next time out, he will face a fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist.

At ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, Musumeci will look to defend his flyweight submission grappling world championship for a second time against Osamah Almarwai.

This contest also marks a return to the United States for Musumeci, with ONE Fight Night 10 being ONE Championship’s first event on US soil.

Almarwai presents a challenge to the champion, as Musumeci is yet to face a fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert in ONE Championship. ‘Darth Rigatoni’ has been competing against sambo fighters for the most part, but next time around, it’s back to his roots.

Mikey Musumeci shared to ONE Championship:

“It won’t be one person with anti-jiu-jitsu running away [from the BJJ player] – Osamah will come in, and exchange with me using jiu-jitsu. MMA fans and people that really don’t watch jiu-jitsu will still be able to appreciate it, which is always my goal in ONE Championship.”

Osamah Almarwai trains out of Atos BJJ in San Diego, one of the top places for elite competitors to train their grappling. The gym has also been a home for Kade and Tye Ruotolo, training under the legendary Andre Galvao.

Almarwai has his fair share of accomplishments on the mats to back up his credentials. Most recently, he earned first place at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships, where Musumeci got to watch his next opponent work up close.