“It was a really heated match” - Mikey Musumeci on beating Rodtang at rock-paper-scissors

ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci is one of the friendliest, most light-hearted people you'll ever meet. It's easy to forget that he can tear you from limb to limb in a matter of minutes.

In one of his cute, child-like antics, 'Darth Rigatoni' was seen playing a rather fun but competitive game of rock-paper-scissors with ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champ Rodtang Jitmuangnon. It was quite endearing and hilarious how everyone in the room seemed invested in who won this high-stakes children's game.

Here's a clip of the said encounter:

"The HYPE in that room 😂 Mikey Musumeci and Rodtang both throw down for real at ONE Fight Night 6! 🙌 @mikeymusumeci @rodtang_jimungnon @aunglansang @superbon_banchamek"

In the room were former ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon Singha Mawynn and former two-division ONE world champ Aung La N Sang. In an interview with SCMP MMA, Musumeci recalled the hilarious encounter with the ONE world champions:

"It was insane. It was super fun just hanging out with the fighters in the red corner. I predict we all win in the red corner. We were playing rock, paper, and scissors. A serious tournament in the back, so it was really fun...Honestly, I did win that match. It was a really heated match but I pulled it together. Superbon [Singha Mawynn] and him were strategizing in the corner. I was able to pull it off."

'Darth Rigatoni' continued:

"Three of them bet 10 baht. I didn’t have any baht in my wallet so Aung [La N Sang] took from my wallet like a $20 dollar bill and just put it on the table, which is like 660 baht. Yeah, and we won."

Watch his full interview here:

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Mikey Musumeci defends his ONE flyweight submission grappling world title at ONE Fight Night 6

Last weekend at ONE Fight Night 6, Mikey Musumeci defended his throne against promotional newcomer and sambo specialist Gandumur Bayanduuren. In a marvelous 10-minute grappling war, 'Darth Rigatoni' reminded everyone why he's the best of the best today.

Right from the opening bell, Mikey Musumeci went into his aggressive attacking mode. the American BJJ black belt caught an arm but then transitioned to a leglock once his Mongolian foe escaped the arm trap. What happened next was something our stomachs weren't prepared to see.

Musumeci locked in his signature 'Mikey Lock', bending Bayanduuren's foot in ways that it shouldn't. After Bayanduuren somehow toughed his way out of the footlock, 'Darth Rigatoni' swiftly changed gears and transitioned into various kneebars and heel hooks.

Everyone could see how contorted Bayanduuren's knee was and how the knee cap seemed to have exploded out of position. It doesn't take a medical professional to see that Bayanduuren will need surgery after this bout. Still, the tough-as-nails sambo fighter refused to tap out.

While Mikey Musumeci clearly won the bout via unanimous decision, a huge part of the narrative was Bayanduuren's unflinching toughness in the midst of undeniable pain. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Watch the full match highlights here: