"Keep progressing" - Mikey Musumeci says conquering higher weight classes is the next step to his evolution

After dominating the flyweight division, reigning ONE submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci believes making the move to a higher weight class is the next step in his evolution.

Over the next three months, Musumeci will do exactly that, starting with a long-awaited rematch with ONE Championship debutant Gabriel Sousa. After suffering a submission loss against Sousa under the Who's Number One banner in 2021, 'Darth Rigatoni' is out for redemption when the two run it back at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7

Speaking with Jits Magazine ahead of his highly anticipated return to Impact Arena in Bangkok, Musumeci has accomplished everything he set out to in BJJ, but that doesn't mean he's done learning and evolving his skill set — especially as he ventures into higher weight classes.

“These matches for me, I’ve already won every title I wanted to in Jiu-Jitsu honestly, but for me, it’s just me rolling with the top guys and seeing what I have to get better at and keep progressing," Musumeci said.

ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.

---

Mikey Musumeci books champion vs. champion clash against BJJ superstar Kade Ruotolo

Once Mikey Musumeci handles some overdue business with Gabriel Sousa, the Marlboro, New Jersey native will turn his attention toward perhaps the biggest fight of his career. Hell, it may very well be the biggest match in grappling history.

Emanating from Ball Arena in The Mile High City — Denver, Colorado — ONE 168 on Friday, September 6 will feature a massive champion vs. champion clash as Musumeci moves up three weight classes to challenge reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world titleholder Kade Ruotolo.

If Musumeci emerges victorious, he will once again make history, becoming the first two-division grappling world champion in ONE history whilst simultaneously establishing himself as perhaps the pound-for-pound best BJJ practitioner on the planet.

Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 at Ball Arena.