Mikey Musumeci explains how training jiu-jitsu helped him growing up as a kid

ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci is well known for his second to none work rate, which has seen him become one of the top grapplers in the world.

At ONE on Prime Video 2, Musumeci became the first-ever submission grappling world champion in ONE, defeating Cleber Souza for the inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling world title.

In a recent video posted by Fightlore on their YouTube channel, Mikey Musumeci spoke about how jiu-jitsu became his obsession after starting off as a way to keep himself busy:

“I grew up in New Jersey and then I moved to Florida at like 11 years old. I moved a lot as a kid, and lived in like 11 different homes. So it was definitely hard making friends when you moved so much. I pretty much battled depression my whole life also, so those are pretty much the hardships I’ve dealt with and jiu-jitsu helped me so much overcome those things.”

He added:

“I’ve always just felt a little different than the other kids I was around, you know? I always just wanted to fit in and feel normal. It definitely was hard for me growing up feeling that, that I guess helped me with jiu-jitsu because it made me just work harder. And I was able to enjoy jiu-jitsu, so that helped me through my depression.”

Watch the full video below:

Musumeci will look to defend his world title for the first time at ONE Fight Night 6 on Prime Video when he faces Gantumur Bayanduuren on January 13.

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WATCH: Joe Rogan talks about Mikey Musumeci’s special diet and wild BJJ skills

UFC commentator Joe Rogan and BJJ king Gordon Ryan recently shared their thoughts on the unique style and irregular eating habits that make Mikey Musumeci an enigma.

During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Ryan and Rogan spoke at length about some of the greatest grapplers on the planet. Referencing the insane work rate of ‘Darth Rigatoni’, the two jiu-jitsu obsessives spoke about how Musumeci spends upwards of 12 hours a day in the gym and on the mats:

“He’s so good and so weird. All he does is eat pasta and pizza and he only eats once a day. He’s a f*cking genius too... He drills 12 hours a day, every day. That’s where you get results. You get results doing those incredibly uncomfortable things.”

Gordon Ryan chimed in during the conversation, sharing his training experience with Mikey Musumeci:

“His legs are shorter proportionately than his upper body. So you’re trying to pass his guard and [Musumeci’s] little tiny feet slip into places they normally wouldn’t be able to because his legs are so short. So I’m like, f*cking trying to pass his guard and stuff, and his feet are coming inside my arms. I’m like, ‘I don’t know what to do here.’"

Catch the pair's comments below: