Mikey Musumeci isn’t just the inaugural bantamweight world champion of UFC BJJ – he’s also one of the key architects behind the promotion’s broader vision.

In a recent conversation with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson, Musumeci opened up about why he believes UFC’s entry into the world of grappling could be a turning point for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a whole:

It’s a different segment, that’s what we’re trying to do here.
We already have our Jiu-Jitsu people, we’re all addicted. We love Jiu-Jitsu!

Now we’re trying to get more people into it.

UFC BJJ has already made waves by announcing an eight-figure investment into the sport, an unprecedented move in the grappling world.
Musumeci drew comparisons to the $3 million used to launch the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational, which had an outsized impact on the competitive scene.

With UFC’s reach and resources, the potential scale of change is much larger in Musumeci’s eyes.

But Musumeci’s involvement began long before he ever stepped onto the mat under the UFC banner.
He explained how early discussions with UFC executives like Hunter Campbell and Claudia Gadelha shaped what the promotion would become:

I met with Hunter, Claudia, Tecci, the guys from the UFC… And we made a plan like how can we grow this sport the most. So I got behind this plan for them: divisions, Ultimate Fighter, drug testing… Everything I wanted for this sport to grow!

One of Musumeci’s most vocal crusades has been for increased PED testing in Jiu-Jitsu – a topic that continues to divide the community.
While some view it as necessary for legitimizing the sport, others argue that strict testing could alienate top talent.

Still, Musumeci believes it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle:

I think that us having these professional things is what we need for grappling to become a professional thing.
Where people like your children could do that.

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