"That's a career-ruining injury" - Fans perplexed by Gantumur Bayanduuren's decision to tough it out against Mikey Musumeci

The first successful world title defense of ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci was against Gantumur Bayanduuren in January 2023 at ONE Fight Night 6.

Musumeci defeated Bayanduuren via unanimous decision at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. ONE Championship recently posted the reaction of 'Darth Rigatoni' to the nasty heel hook submission that he pulled off but didn't make Mongolian athlete tap.

The world's largest martial arts organization wrote the in video's caption:

"You don't play with leg locks 😳 How will Mikey Musumeci's challenge of Kade Ruotolo's lightweight submission grappling crown end on September 6 at ONE 168: Denver? 💪 @mikeymusumeci"

Even the 27-year-old American was surprised that Bayanduuren didn't give up during the match and continued with a compromised leg. It confused Musumeci about his decision to eat that brutal heel hook technique.

More than his incredible performance, fans were concerned about Bayanduuren's state after the match, as users @eeljbrain, @mma_sh1t, @starx_music, and @doctor_kickass showed compassion for him through their comments:

"It's cool that he ate it but that's a career ruining injury"

"Always tap and fight another day."

"Ego is not your amigo 😔"

"Absolutely! He let his knee get destroyed with no chance of winning. He was out for at least a year and who knows if he will ever be at the same level pre match against @mikeymusumeci"

Screenshot of fans' comments

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Mikey Musumeci guns for history at ONE 168: Denver against Kade Ruotolo

After the win over Bayanduuren, Musumeci added four more victims to his win column with victories over Osamah Almarwai, Jarred Brooks, Shinya Aoki, and Gabriel Sousa.

But now, the Evolve MMA representative will have the opportunity to make history as he moves up in the lightweight division on Sept. 6 at ONE 168: Denver, where he will challenge Kade Ruotolo for the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title in an attempt to become the first-ever athlete to win two submission grappling belts in ONE Championship.

ONE 168: Denver will transpire at the Ball Arena in U.S. primetime on Sept. 6. Tickets for the event are available on Ticketmaster.