"I feel the cortisol in my body" - Mikey Musumeci shares how rigorous training takes its toll physically and mentally

To win arguably the biggest match of his career, Mikey Musumeci understands that he must push himself beyond his limits.

The reigning flyweight submission grappling world champion will vie for two-division supremacy when he challenges Kade Ruotolo for his lightweight crown in one of the most highly anticipated bouts at ONE 168: Denver.

Apart from the challenge of moving up three weight classes, Musumeci will also take on one of the most electric and fundamentally sound grapplers in the world today.

As such, 'Darth Rigatoni' is pulling out all the stops in training to ensure he can perform at his peak against the youngest ADCC world champion.

However, Musumeci admits that his rigorously intense regimen is catching up to him. The five-time IBJJF world champion told ONE:

"I literally feel the cortisol in my body, like peak high. And then I have to try to remove the cortisol with breathing [techniques], but it's a constant battle."

Prolonged intense physical activities, of course, increase levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone in the human body.

Still, Mikey Musumeci is determined to make the necessary sacrifices to take his career to even greater heights, adding:

"But, that's what it takes though for me to become the level I'm becoming and to do it naturally without steroids."

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Mikey Musumeci credits Kennedy Maciel for simulating Kade Ruotolo

Mikey Musumeci has unlocked an even deadlier version of himself ever since he started training with BJJ icon Rubens Charles Marciel.

'Darth Rigatoni' even forged a bond with 'Cobrinha's' son, Kennedy Maciel, who has experience dealing with the Ruotolos.

Musumeci told ONE how the younger Maciel is helping him prepare for the biggest fight of his life:

"Kennedy and I go to war. We freaking kill each other. We do three hours of training, just me and him, and 'Cobrinha' supervising. But it's basically 10-minute rounds of us trying to kill each other, figuring new things out."

Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster