Mikey Musumeci vacates the UFC BJJ bantamweight belt to focus on MMA
The division's first champion, the American says he is still training jiu-jitsu and will do superfights with the organization. Jalen Fonacier and Kleber Barboza fight for the title at UFC BJJ 13 on October 29.
Mikey Musumeci announced on Friday (9), on Instagram, that he is vacating the UFC BJJ bantamweight belt. At 30 years old, the American said he is obsessed with MMA training and wants to make it his priority.
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Musumeci was the division's first champion. He won the belt on June 25, 2025, at UFC BJJ 1, by submitting Rerisson Gabriel with a heel hook, and won four title matches in the organization. Last month, at UFC BJJ 11, he beat Bryce Mitchell, a UFC MMA fighter, by unanimous decision.
Jiu-jitsu goes on
In his message, Musumeci said he has not lost a match in this division in almost ten years, that he still trains jiu-jitsu every day and that he can come back at any time. He also said he will keep doing grappling superfights at UFC BJJ, but with a different style of jiu-jitsu.
So far, no opponent, date or event has been announced for his MMA debut.
New champion on October 29
UFC BJJ has already set the fight for the vacant belt. Jalen Fonacier, Musumeci's training partner, faces Kleber Barboza in the main event of UFC BJJ 13 on October 29.
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