Gordon Ryan Questions Musumeci’s Competition Level at ONE Championship.

Mikey Musumeci is widely respected in the grappling community due to his success winning multiple International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championships. Musumeci recently signed with Asian promotion ONE Championship and has defeated several opponents there with backgrounds in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Sambo.

In a recent interview, renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Gordon Ryan provided his perspective on Musumeci’s career and what will be required to solidify his status at the top of the sport:

“I think Mikey is up there as well, but I think if Mikey, if he wants to establish himself as the number one pound-for-pound guy, has to, he’s won no-gi worlds, he’s won worlds before, I think he has to do ADCC,”

While acknowledging Musumeci’s credentials from Pan Ams and Brasileiro tournament victories, Ryan believes that winning the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) championship is the pinnacle achievement in no gi.

“I recognize it’s a little bit small for that weight class, but he can’t just be fighting MMA guys in ONE, which I think is great, but I think if he really wants to be the number one pound-for-pound spot, I think he has to do ADCC.”

As a bantamweight, Musumeci faces size disadvantages against many MMA opponents. Ryan contends that if Musumeci wants to strengthen his claim as the best pound-for-pound, he should return to ADCC to test his skills against top competitors in his weight class without the gi.

Musumeci has not publicly responded yet to Ryan’s comments. However, Ryan has issued a challenge for Musumeci to enter the ADCC trials again to prove he can succeed at that elite level of no-gi competition.

In the past, Ryan has shared his experience of training with Mikey, emphasizing that passing his guard is almost impossible:

I think his [Musumeci’s] legs are proportionately shorter than his upper body. So you’re trying to pass his guard and [Musumeci’s] little tiny feet slip into places they normally wouldn’t be able to because his legs are so short.

So, I’m like f*cking trying to pass his guard and stuff and his feet are coming inside my arms. I’m like: “I don’t know what to do here.”