"F**k it, I'll just go up" - Mikey Musumeci reveals the reason he accepted rematch with Gabriel Sousa at bantamweight

Mikey Musumeci certainly understands his responsibilities of defending his ONE flyweight submission grappling world championship.

Then again, he's pretty much beaten every adversary in his way. Now, he wants to continue testing himself against bigger world-class grapplers.

In an interview with Jits Magazine, 'Darth Rigatoni' said he's aware of the criticism after his last two victories inside the Circle came against MMA fighters Jarred Brooks and Shinya Aoki, respectively.

The 27-year-old, though, revealed that most grapplers in his weight class are not exactly lining up to face arguably one of the pound-for-pound best in the game today.

As such, Mikey Musumeci jumped at the opportunity to rematch his tormentor Gabriel Sousa, even if it meant he had to move up to 145 pounds. He shared:

"Like guys, I try to fight everyone and have matches with everyone but no one is accepting, so how is that my fault? So then I said, 'F**k it, I'll just go up."

Musumeci is certainly no stranger to grappling and beating men bigger than him, using pristine technique to overcome any size disadvantage.

Plus, the Evolve MMA superstar has been lobbying for a rematch with Sousa, the last man to submit him in competition.

This epic grappling chess match will take place at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs Nattawut II on Prime Video on June 7, live in US Primetime from Impact Arena ing Bangkok, Thailand.

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Mikey Musumeci says his strength improved after move to bantamweight

Being the meticulous tactician that he is, Mikey Musumeci made sure to bulk up the right way in preparation for his do-over with the prolific Sousa.

The Brazilian, after all, brings forth a formidable passing game. Even 'Darth Rigatoni' succumbed to this in their first meeting in 2021.

Needless to say, a lot has changed since. Musumeci, for one, says he's grown more powerful and ready to handle Sousa's physicality.

He said in the same interview:

"I feel ten times stronger than I was physically and I think that’s going to be a big factor in this match that my strength is a lot higher than it was.”

ONE 167 is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.