"Jiu-jitsu was my escape" - Mikey Musumeci recalls how BJJ helped him get through a rough childhood

Grappling ace Mikey Musumeci can't imagine living in a world where there's no jiu-jitsu.

Growing up different than the rest, Musumeci recalled finding a sense of solace each time he practiced the gentle art.

But as he came to realize through time, jiu-jitsu not only distracted him from the outside world but it also enriched him with the confidence he never had as a child.

Just because he was on the smaller side, Musumeci quickly learned to use jiu-jitsu to his advantage to fend off the bullies - the bullies at school and the bullies within the jiu-jitsu circle.

That's why Musumeci remains so vehemently against the "bigger" guys that put the "smaller" guys down. He truly takes it personally each time he feels attacked.

So, in this past fight card at ONE 167, the Italian-American ace set off to prove that the only way to fend off the bullies, meaning long-time rival Gabriel Sousa, is to let his jiu-jitsu do all the talking.

Speaking on the MMA hour, Musumeci told Ariel Helwani:

"I started jiu-jitsu when I was four years old. I was so small. But it's why I did jiu-jitsu my whole life. It was my escape from my life, right? I didn't really talk in school, I didn't have friends, I was just this introvert, very small kid. I always got made fun of for being very small. Jiu-jitsu was my escape from everything, and it didn't matter what people said, it didn't matter how people acted, like a macho, tough guy or anything."

The replay of ONE 167 is free on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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"I got very emotional" - Mikey Musumeci apologizes for his emotional response inside the ring after defeating BJJ rival Gabriel Sousa at ONE 167

It was a rare sight to see Mikey Musumeci get so heated about avenging a submission loss to Gabriel Sousa.

The fact that he lost to the Brazilian in 2021 didn't bother him as much as what was said by Sousa in the aftermath. The provocations took their toll and Musumeci felt he had no other option but to challenge him on the biggest stage in the world.

After avenging his loss with a stunning calf slicer submission, Musumeci gave the following reason why he was so heated going into this matchup.

He told ONE:

"It brought out Little MIkey from when I was a kid, and my anger towards that personality and that person. But, again I got very emotional. I'm sorry, guys. But I just leave it all out there, you know?"

Mikey Musumeci will soon go back into action once again and move up three weight classes to challenge fellow world champion Kade Ruotolo of his lightweight crown in Denver at ONE 168.

ONE 168: Denver will take place on September 6 iin US Primetime nside the Ball Arena in Colorado.