Mikey Musumeci has taken the grappling world by storm, and now the gifted 25-year-old is ready to showcase his abilities on a worldwide stage by being in ONE Championship.
The New Jersey native recounted his days as a teen in an interview with ONE. Musumeci was very lively in all sports activities earlier than deciding on his true ardour.
“New Jersey was a extremely cool place to develop up. I used to be very shut with my dad and mom. I’d play exterior day-after-day – soccer, soccer, baseball with children within the neighborhood,” mentioned Musumeci.
“In New Jersey, there’s numerous woods, so we’d at all times be within the woods, enjoying. I used to be tremendous lively. Throughout winter, it was numerous enjoyable as a result of we get to play snowball fights, making igloos, issues like that.”
His introduction to martial arts got here early. Noticing his enthusiasm whereas watching his father prepare Muay Thai, Musumeci was enrolled in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons on the age of 4. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than he stepped onto the mats in a aggressive trend.
“I competed in my first competitors after I was 4 or 5 years previous in New Jersey. I bear in mind doing this match, and I beat the child however went off the mat crying into my dad’s arms saying, ‘I don’t wanna combat anymore,’ as a result of it was so scary,” recounted Musumeci.
“I used to be horrified. After which, I simply stored coaching for thus a few years till I used to be 10 or 11 years previous, and my entire household moved to Florida.”
It was in Florida the place his focus shifted to BJJ completely. Rigorous coaching led to life-style modifications for the promising younger expertise. Nonetheless, these challenges had been embraced as Musumeci at all times had his sights set on changing into among the finest grapplers on the earth.
“It was numerous sacrifice, and there have been instances after I obtained older, I used to be considering, ‘Is that this the appropriate factor to do? Why shouldn’t I’ve lived my teenage years, have mates, and have a traditional life,” mentioned Musumeci.
“However now, wanting again, it was well worth the sacrifice due to my place in life. The dedication and sacrifice I realized at that age made me who I’m immediately.”
Ardour has been what has led Musumeci to the highest of the game.
Though the intense prospect had a scholarship to regulation college, he selected to pursue BJJ to see how far he might take his dream. It’s a lesson in believing in your self, placing within the work, and following your ardour.
And being true to himself has led him to ONE, the place he can embrace the martial arts spirit whereas having a worldwide platform to indicate his craft.
“The factor I like about ONE, very a lot, is the tradition. In America, the tradition is loads about speaking crap. It’s not about respect and honor like in martial arts. And the issue with that’s we’re competing and sparring in entrance of the subsequent era. So how are they going to behave? Horribly,” mentioned Musumeci.
“Any competitors I do, any titles I’ve received, it’s superior, however subsequent 12 months, another person would possibly win it, and the query is, what would final from what I’ve completed? If it has a optimistic impression, then I’d have a objective to reside as a result of I impacted someone’s life.”
“For me, that’s every thing. It isn’t about cash, it’s nearly having a great impression on the subsequent era.”
