Mikey Musumechi Challenges Arman Tsarukyan Following UFC BJJ 5 Title Defense
Mikey Musumeci delivered another stellar performance at UFC BJJ 5, securing a victory on Thursday night. He faced off against Shay Montague for the UFC BJJ bantamweight title. Musumeci aimed to showcase his wrestling skills, adopting a game plan that included donning a Dagestani chin strap.
Match Overview
The bout began with both competitors in a stalemate during the first round. Montague sought leg locks, while Musumeci strategically avoided similar traps. Between rounds, Montague reported a leg injury, which influenced the dynamics of the second round.
Key Moments
- Musumeci eventually passed Montague’s guard but faced resistance as Montague found a way to force a disengagement.
- Near the end of the second round, Musumeci capitalized on an opportunity, securing an ankle lock that led to Montague tapping out quickly.
Musumeci’s Reaction
In his post-fight interview, Musumeci expressed mixed feelings about the match. He shared his disappointment in not executing more wrestling techniques. “I wanted to do more passing,” he stated. Despite this, he acknowledged Montague’s impressive guard work, calling him “incredible” and likening his flexibility to that of a “human pretzel.”
Future Challenges
After the match, Musumeci called out Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 2 lightweight globally according to MMA Fighting’s rankings. Musumeci criticized Tsarukyan’s recent callout of actor Tom Hardy for a grappling match.
- Musumeci proposed a matchup with Tsarukyan, stating, “How about he competes against a jiu jitsu person in a grappling match?”
- He emphasized his willingness to meet Tsarukyan at his weight class for an exciting grappling competition.
Results from UFC BJJ 5
- Ronaldo Junior defeated Tarik Hopstock via unanimous decision to retain his middleweight title.
- Andy Murasaki submitted Andy Varela with an armbar in the first round.
- Rebeca Lima won by ankle lock in the second round.
- Jalen Fonacier achieved the fastest submission in UFC BJJ history with a heel hook against Carlos Oliveira.
