Mikey Musumeci has vacated the UFC BJJ bantamweight title to prioritize his training for a potential move to mixed martial arts. The 30-year-old won four title matches in UFC BJJ, all by submission, before beating UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell by decision in September. Musumeci plans to keep taking UFC BJJ grappling superfights without defending a belt. The vacant title will be contested in the main event of UFC BJJ 13 on Oct. 29, when Jalen Fonacier faces Kleber Barboza.
Mikey Musumeci has vacated the UFC BJJ bantamweight title as he turns his attention to training for a possible move into mixed martial arts.
The 30-year-old won four title matches in UFC BJJ, every one of them by submission. In September, he beat UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell by decision in a grappling superfight. Musumeci plans to keep taking UFC BJJ superfights, but he will do so without a belt to defend.
Mitchell, 32, brought an 18-4-0 MMA record into that matchup. The American from Barata MMA fights out of a southpaw stance and stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. His UFC numbers show a wrestling-heavy approach, averaging 3.24 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 59 percent accuracy.
The vacant title will be decided in the main event of UFC BJJ 13 on Oct. 29, when Jalen Fonacier faces Kleber Barboza.
Why it matters
- Musumeci's decision to give up the belt signals that his priorities have shifted from grappling titles to MMA preparation.
- By staying active in superfights, he keeps a presence in UFC BJJ without the obligation of title defenses.
- Fonacier and Barboza will compete for a championship left open by a four-time title-fight winner who finished every one of those bouts.
- His win over Mitchell, a ranked-level UFC bantamweight, gives his MMA transition added credibility among grapplers crossing over.
Musumeci's move into MMA is described as potential rather than finalized, and no MMA debut has been reported.
