The five-time IBJJF World Champion aims to elevate grappling under the UFC banner and help professionalize the sport.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) phenom Mikey Musumeci has made headlines by announcing his departure from ONE Championship to sign an exclusive promotional agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This landmark move signifies a new chapter in Musumeci’s illustrious career and heralds the UFC’s ambitious plans to elevate and professionalize the sport of grappling on a global scale.

Why Mikey Musumeci Left ONE Championship

Musumeci, a five-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Champion, revealed that his decision to leave ONE Championship was driven by both personal and professional motivations.

“I just wanted to be back home in the USA,” Musumeci explained, noting that the UFC headquarters are just 10-15 minutes away from his residence.

He emphasized that there are no hard feelings toward ONE Championship. “I’m still good friends with Chatri [Sityodtong, ONE Championship CEO]… How can I have hard feelings for an organization that helped me grow so much as a person?”

Musumeci believes the UFC offers a unique platform to further legitimize and professionalize BJJ. “I feel like it’s finally another platform that could expand our sport to people that wouldn’t typically watch jiu-jitsu,” he said.

UFC’s Ambitious Plans for Grappling

The UFC’s CEO, Dana White, announced that Musumeci’s signing is “the first of many” as the organization seeks to develop “the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu program in the world.”

Musumeci revealed that the UFC plans to establish a grappling league. “They’re trying to take over jiu-jitsu like they have MMA,” he said. “We’re just going to grow the sport even more than it has been rapidly growing.“

The UFC aims to create a legitimate, professional platform for grapplers. Musumeci expressed excitement about this vision: “I just want a legitimate professional platform for athletes… so then they could dream of being a professional jiu-jitsu person.“

Musumeci highlighted the potential for the UFC to address existing challenges in the BJJ world, such as inconsistent promotion and the need for standardized regulations.

Musumeci’s Vision for the Future of BJJ

Musumeci is passionate about contributing to the growth and professionalization of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“All I can say is it’s the best deal I have ever had in my life,” he said about his UFC contract. “They’re really treating me well… I know many future generations can [benefit].“

He advocates for a unified platform that ensures stability and professionalism. “We need to become a sport like MLB, NBA, NFL, where we have a legitimate organization with money,” Musumeci stated.

Musumeci also emphasized the importance of fair play and integrity. He expressed hope that the UFC’s involvement could lead to measures like drug testing to uphold the sport’s standards.

Upcoming Debut and Potential MMA Transition

Musumeci is set to make his UFC debut at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9 on December 5, 2025, against Felipe Machado.

While his immediate focus is on grappling, Musumeci is open to the idea of transitioning to mixed martial arts in the future. “I have the desire to maybe do MMA again,” he shared. “If I can have the opportunity to fight MMA in the UFC, that’s going to be a dream, too.“

However, he emphasized his current mission is to help grow the sport of jiu-jitsu. “I can’t leave our sport before helping it grow to a place where other people, other kids can have an organization to compete at in the future.“

Musumeci’s Reflections on His Journey

Musumeci expressed appreciation for his time with ONE Championship. “I’m very grateful to Chatri for the opportunity he’s given me… I’ve learned so much from him.”

He briefly touched on past difficulties, including health issues related to weight cutting, and expressed optimism about moving forward with the UFC.

Known for his competitive spirit, Musumeci welcomes the challenges ahead. “I have so much pressure this time… but I love it because I grow from pressure.“

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• Event Details:
  UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9
  Date: December 5, 2025
  Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
  Matchup: Mikey Musumeci vs. Felipe Machado

Mikey Musumeci’s move to the UFC represents a significant moment for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports at large. With the UFC’s resources and global reach, combined with Musumeci’s talent and passion, there is great potential for the sport to achieve new heights of popularity and professionalism.

As Musumeci prepares for his debut at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9, fans and aspiring grapplers alike will be watching closely, eager to witness the impact of this new partnership on the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.