"We're on the right path" - Mikey Musumeci confident that BJJ and grappling will soon be dissociated with PEDs

ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci remains optimistic that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is headed in the right direction.

While the grappling arts have catapulted into the mainstream in recent years, it still hasn't shaken off its unflattering history with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Musumeci, a lifetime natural athlete, is indeed one of the few superstars who continues to spearhead the battle for a clean sport.

Even 'Darth Rigatoni' admits it's frustrating at times to go against a culture that somehow normalized the use of steroids. However, the 28-year-old BJJ genius is proud that more people are finally speaking out against PEDs.

In an exclusive interview with ONE Championship, Mikey Musumeci explained why he'll forever be a staunch supporter of this movement:

"But I am confident that long term, as jiu-jitsu gets more and more money, it's going to change. And we're on the right path, we are. I just have to not end up in a mental hospital before then."

After a brilliant run in the highest levels of the BJJ circuit and a perfect 7-0 record in ONE, Musumeci has proven that natural athletes can dominate the game.

The five-time IBJJF world champion will target his biggest win yet this coming September 6 at ONE 178: Denver. 'Darth Rigatoni' will look to become a two-division world champion by unseating lightweight king Kade Ruotolo inside Ball Arena.

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Mikey Musumeci says BJJ can take a page out of other professional sports when it comes to dealing with PEDs

In the same interview, Mikey Musumeci talked about the culture change needed to remove grappling's association with PEDs.

For one, 'Darth Rigatoni' thinks stricter policies along with a different mindset will come a long way:

"I'm American, and America with our sports, like football and baseball, these certain sports, we have better values in these ways," he said.

"We could do better, us Americans, in what we're supporting. It's bringing out a bad quality in people right now who are supporting jiu-jitsu."

Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster