“We're the two kids who are always f**king around” - Mikey Musumeci talks about his bond with Thai megastar Rodtang

Mikey Musumeci and Rodtang Jitmuangnon have developed a special bond, which the American grappling ace said came naturally even with the language barrier between him and the Thai superstar. 'Darth Rigatoni' touched on their relationship in an interview with Cageside Press.

28-year-old Musumeci said that he found a seamless affinity with 'The Iron Man' since coming onboard the ONE Championship roster. Their relationship was futher enhanced when both were featured in the promotion's first-ever live on-ground event in the U.S. in Denver in May last year and the American ended up helping the flyweight Muay Thai king make weight.

He said:

"So we're the two kids who are always f**king around when people are talking, we're in the back just shadow-fighting each other, messing around. Little kids, they don't really talk much. They just play with each other. It kind of became a relationship like that between me and Rodtang, and then we became closer, and I helped him make weight for the card in Denver last year."

Check out what he had to say below:

Both Mikey Musumeci and Rodtang emerged victorious in their respective matches in the U.S. The grappling champion successfully defended his world title against Yemeni challenger Osamah Almarwai by submission, while the Jitmuangnon Gym standout also did the same by knocking out Mexican Edgar Tabares.

Mikey Musumeci returns to fight in the U.S. for ONE 168

ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci will return to the United States next month to compete and make a go at becoming a double ONE world champion.

The New Jersey native is featured in the co-main event at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6, where he will vie for the lightweight grappling world title against reigning champion Kade Ruotolo.

It will be his first fight back on home soil under the ONE Championship banner since seeing action and winning in the promotion's first live on-ground event in the U.S. in May 2023.

For his upcoming fight, Mikey Musumeci said he expects an uphill battle as he is competing three weight divisions higher and against an opponent as skillful as Ruotolo. He, however is undeterred by the odds being stacked against him, and is out to get the big win to become a two-division champion.

Meanwhile, at ONE 168, Ruotolo will be making his fourth defense of the world title he won in Oct. 2022.

ONE 168: Denver will take place at the Ball Arena and air live and for free at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Tickets for the event are available on Ticketmaster.