“We've both improved a lot” - Gabriel Sousa says outcome of first meeting with Mikey Musumeci doesn’t matter in rematch

Former IBJJF world champion Gabriel Sousa of Brazil is the last man to beat and submit reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion 'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci.

But the 27-year-old says his performance against the Italian-American superstar more than two years ago won't hold any weight in their upcoming rematch.

Sousa submitted Musumeci with a north-south choke at Who's Number One in September 2021. Now, he's ready to make his debut in the world's largest martial arts organization in a second fight with 'Darth Rigatoni'.

Sousa told ONE Championship in a recent interview:

"This is how I imagine this fight will be. Even though we've both improved a lot, I'm analyzing it based on our previous fight. And I'm also analyzing Mikey's latest fights."

Gabriel Sousa is set to lock horns with Mikey Musumeci in a bantamweight submission grappling match at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video.

The event broadcasts live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action on U.S. primetime, live and absolutely free on Friday, June 7th, only on Amazon Prime Video.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event.

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Gabriel Sousa ready for Mikey Musumeci's infamous leg lock game at ONE 167 on Prime Video

Gabriel Sousa is heading into his highly anticipated rematch with 'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci at ONE 167 on Prime Video, ready to go toe-to-toe, quite literally, with the infamous leg lock specialist.

Musumeci is known for his wrenching leg attacks, and Sousa says he needs to tread carefully to avoid getting submitted.

He told ONE Championship:

"I'm going to face an athlete who attacks a lot with heel hooks, so I trained a lot so as not to be surprised and I believe that my Jiu-Jitsu level has increased a lot, especially my knowledge regarding foot locks."