The UFC opened its grappling calendar with UFC BJJ 5, a card headlined by two championship matches.

Both titleholders successfully defended their belts, but it was Mikey Musumeci who drew the most attention – not just for winning, but for how he approached the fight.

Entering the main event against Shay Montague, the bantamweight champion promised a different version of himself.
Sporting a beard and jokingly referring to himself as “Dagestani Mikey” Musumeci said he planned to rely on his top control rather than immediately sitting to guard.

For roughly the first round and a half, he actually followed through.
Musumeci stayed on top and attempted to pressure Montague’s guard instead of hunting leg locks right away.

Montague’s flexibility and guard retention slowed him down and prevented a quick finish.
Eventually, however, the match returned to familiar territory.

The moment Montague’s leg was exposed, Musumeci transitioned back to his trademark attack.
Within seconds of committing to it, the champion secured the submission with a foot lock to close the second round.

After the victory, Musumeci immediately shifted attention to a potential high-profile opponent:

Arman (Tsarukyan) called out Tom Hardy for a grappling match. Tom Hardy at this time was a purple belt.

He called out a hobbyist purple belt for a grappling match – how about he competes against a Jiu-Jitsu person in a grappling match?

Musumeci said he would even move up in weight to make the match happen, targeting the UFC lightweight contender for a future grappling bout.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UFC BJJ (@ufcbjj)

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents

💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win? 💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers? It’s not your age. It’s your strategy. If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you. 🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:

Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu

Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.

Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.