Mikey Musumeci is among the faces hooked up to the UFC’s new Brazilian jiu-jitsu promotion, and because the new UFC product prepares for its first occasion, Musumeci virtually discovered himself teaching towards two big names within the sport.
Earlier this month, the promotion introduced UFC BJJ, and that the inaugural occasion takes place June 25 in Las Vegas. Musumeci is ready to compete in the principle occasion of UFC BJJ 1 towards Rerisson Gabriel for the inaugural bantamweight title. Musumeci and Gabriel are additionally opposing coaches for the UFC BJJ: Street to the Title actuality present, which started operating on the UFC’s YouTube channel on Monday.
Musumeci says Gabriel was not the primary identify in play to oppose him on the present, and maybe, he may run the present again once more with Gordon Ryan or Craig Jones.
“I used to be presupposed to do it with Gordon Ryan, however he had well being issues, so he wasn’t capable of do the present, then Craig Jones,” Musumeci advised MMA Preventing. “We had been 80 % finalized in doing it [with Craig] however the deal didn’t undergo, after which Craig signed with Flo [Grappling] as a substitute.
“So Craig Jones and Gordon had been the primary two that I used to be presupposed to do it with, first Gordon, then Craig, and Craig was actually near doing it, but it surely didn’t occur.
“Long run, I do not know who I’d be an opposing coach with. Let’s hope that we construct some personalities from this present [with] UFC that we’re doing, after which we are able to have one other present of me with that individual once more, proper? That’s what’s stunning about it, that we may develop and construct characters with this present. I believe that that’s the most important factor that we’re doing with this present: Storylines and character growth. I believe that if you happen to simply watch jiu-jitsu, you don’t have any concept what jiu-jitsu is, it’s exhausting to grasp. However if you happen to’re truly concerned within the characters and you’re feeling related to them, that gives you a way of really connecting to the individual, and then you definitely’ll truly wish to perceive what’s occurring within the match.”
One other identify floated as a future coach or athlete is the all the time polarizing Dillon Danis, who has been on the lookout for an opportunity to signal with the UFC for a number of years. Danis, a grappling ace in his personal proper, would definitely create headlines ought to he grow to be a part of this promotion.
When requested about Danis, Musumeci says Danis has beef with him over feedback that occurred throughout the promotion’s kickoff press convention — which didn’t truly come from Musumeci himself.
“Yeah, I’ve nothing towards Dillon,” Musumeci defined. “Should you wished us to do the present collectively, that may be superior. He was pissed at me although as a result of we did a press convention and Claudia [Gadelha] was speaking about him after which he misunderstood and thought I mentioned one thing about him. So he texted me. He’s like, ‘The place are you sitting,’ —we’re at UFC 316 — like he was going to confront me.
“I’m like, ‘Bro, I didn’t discuss you. What are you speaking about?’ I even wrote him once more. I’m like, ‘What’s the problem? I didn’t say one phrase about you.’ So I don’t know if he misunderstood, or if he simply wished drama, however I actually didn’t discuss him in any respect. You may watch, however he simply received actually upset, however perhaps he was simply drunk and he simply heard, or one thing. It’s actually apparent I didn’t say something. However, yeah, if he wished to do a present with me, that may be actually enjoyable. I believe we’d have an excellent time.”
When requested if the connection between Musumeci and Danis has improved because the misunderstanding, Musumeci isn’t certain.
“I imply, I’ve been cool,” Musumeci mentioned. “I believe he’s nonetheless pissed at me for one thing I didn’t even do, however like you’ll be able to simply watch the video. I even mentioned, ‘Bro, watch the video, watch the video.’ I despatched it to him like two instances. He hasn’t responded although. He received’t reply.”
