Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because Mikey Musumeci just shook up the grappling world with a bold move that’s got everyone talking! After a thrilling title defense at UFC BJJ 5, Musumeci didn’t just celebrate—he called out none other than Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 2 lightweight in the world. But here’s where it gets controversial: Musumeci took offense to Tsarukyan’s previous callout of actor Tom Hardy, labeling it a mismatch, and now he’s demanding a grappling showdown of his own. Could this be the ultimate test of skill, or is Musumeci biting off more than he can chew? Let’s dive in.
On Thursday night, Mikey Musumeci delivered yet another jaw-dropping performance at UFC BJJ 5, this time against Shay Montague. Before the match, Musumeci hinted at a strategic shift, promising to showcase his wrestling prowess instead of his signature leg locks. To drive the point home, he even sported a Dagestani chin strap—a symbolic nod to his game plan. The stakes were high, with both the bantamweight and middleweight titles up for grabs during the evening’s co-main event.
The first round was a tactical stalemate. Montague, known for his leg lock mastery, repeatedly inverted positions to hunt for submissions, while Musumeci, staying true to his Dagestani-inspired strategy, resisted the urge to engage in the same game. Between rounds, Montague revealed to his coaches that he’d injured his leg, a setback that likely influenced his performance in the second round.
As the fight progressed, Musumeci—nicknamed ‘Darth Rigatoni’—finally managed to pass Montague’s guard, only for the Scottish grappler to counter with a leg entanglement, forcing Musumeci to disengage. But the turning point came near the end of round two. Musumeci seized an opportunity, locking in a lightning-fast ankle lock that left Montague with no choice but to tap. The bout, which began as a slow-burning chess match, ended in a flash of brilliance.
In his post-fight interview, Musumeci admitted to mixed feelings. ‘It’s a little bittersweet,’ he confessed. ‘I wanted to showcase more of my passing skills. I think I passed him twice, but I was aiming to finish in the pass. The ankle lock came quicker than I expected.’ Despite his disappointment, Musumeci praised Montague’s guard, calling it ‘incredible’ and comparing him to ‘a human pretzel.’ He also acknowledged the fun of experimenting with a new approach, even if it meant deviating from his usual style.
And this is the part most people miss: Musumeci’s callout of Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t just a random challenge. It was a direct response to Tsarukyan’s earlier callout of Tom Hardy, which Musumeci deemed unfair. ‘Arman called out a hobbyist purple belt,’ Musumeci pointed out. ‘Why not face a real jiu-jitsu practitioner instead? I’ll even move up to his weight class for a grappling match. That’s what I call a fair fight.’
Elsewhere on the card, Ronaldo Junior retained his middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over Tarik Hopstock. Andy Murasaki submitted Andy Varela with a first-round armbar, while Rebeca Lima secured her victory with a second-round ankle lock. Kicking off the event, Jalen Fonacier made history with the fastest submission in UFC BJJ history, finishing Carlos Oliveira with a heel hook.
Now, here’s the burning question: Is Musumeci’s challenge to Tsarukyan a genius move or a risky gamble? And what does this say about the evolving dynamics of grappling callouts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is just getting started!
