Distinguished grappling expert Mikey Musumeci has consistently advocated for fair competition within the jiu-jitsu world. Following his recent agreement with the UFC, he expresses optimism that this move will help advance the cause of clean sport.
Musumeci is set to compete for the inaugural bantamweight championship this Wednesday at UFC BJJ 1 against the promising Rerisson Gabriel. The event will feature three title bouts in total.
For Musumeci, the prospect of a clean sport was a primary factor in his exclusive signing with the UFC`s new combat sports initiative. He disclosed that the organization`s commitment to incorporating drug testing protocols into their BJJ events was crucial.
“That was one of the reasons I even went to UFC,” Musumeci stated in an interview. “I would not have joined if they weren’t going to enforce drug testing. As someone who has competed naturally throughout my life, I am deeply committed to changing our sport and eliminating steroids and other harmful substances that have become regrettably common. It seems these practices have gained a level of acceptance, which I aim to reverse. I want jiu-jitsu to be a legitimate professional sport, just like the NFL or NBA.”
He acknowledged, “People will still try to use steroids and find ways to cheat the system, but at least they will have to spend significant amounts of money to do so. At least make it costly for them. So, we will be more legitimate and professional now, and that’s our goal. Drug testing is scheduled to begin in 2026, and I anticipate being much stronger in my matches once it is implemented.”
UFC BJJ 1 serves as the finale of the promotion’s debut season of UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, a reality series designed in a format similar to The Ultimate Fighter.
The program introduced innovations including a new UFC BJJ octagon featuring a ramp-like structure around the perimeter intended to encourage continuous action, along with a distinct championship belt to be awarded to the three new titleholders.
Considering all these developments, Musumeci wholeheartedly affirms that joining the UFC’s new venture was the correct decision.
“Honestly, it’s perhaps the most significant thing I could undertake in my life,” Musumeci commented. “We are building this program from the ground up. This is UFC BJJ 1. I met with Hunter, Claudia, and others from the UFC in late November/December, and we developed a plan to transform and expand grappling. Because the traditional approach to grappling wasn’t particularly appealing. It had numerous issues like frequent match stoppages, resets, tedious matches, and stalling, which weren`t engaging for a broader audience.”
“Therefore, we were determined to collaborate and devise a method to make this sport truly exciting and establish it as a genuinely professional, long-term platform where competitors can pursue their careers and earn a living. I genuinely feel we have accomplished that now. It’s reminiscent of the early days with Royce Gracie. The event title literally says ‘1’. It feels like the very beginning of the UFC, which is incredible.”
