Mikey Musumeci’s latest title defense at UFC BJJ 3 reignited debate over his unorthodox approach, even as he dispatched challenger Keven Carrasco in under three minutes with his trademark Mikey Lock.
Early in the bout, Musumeci repeatedly hopped on one leg to entice Carrasco into a Single Leg attempt – an invitation Carrasco initially resisted before engaging and getting caught shortly after the fight hit the mat.
Despite producing one of the night’s quickest finishes, Musumeci became the focal point of criticism aimed at the event.
Detractors argued that baiting a Single Leg looks awkward and undermines the viewing experience.
Supporters countered that the tactic is fully legal under UFC BJJ rules and, more importantly, effective – something Musumeci has proven while winning titles across major promotions.
The pushback highlights a broader tension Musumeci himself often addresses: balancing efficient winning strategies with entertainment value to attract new fans.
Meanwhile, UFC BJJ faces a parallel issue.
Executive Claudia Gadelha has acknowledged the growing difficulty of finding competitive opponents for the bantamweight champion, a problem compounded when segments of the community dislike the style being used to dominate the available field.
In a public response, Musumeci defended his approach as more engaging than static, grip-heavy stand-up exchanges that can stall entire matches.
He also suggested the bout might have ended even faster had Carrasco engaged earlier.
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