Mikey Musumeci wants to give up UFC BJJ bantamweight title as he targets MMA debut

Mikey Musumeci says he plans to open talks with the UFC about vacating his UFC BJJ bantamweight belt, telling reporters after UFC BJJ 11 that he expects to make his MMA debut before the end of the year.

Mikey Musumeci intends to relinquish the UFC BJJ bantamweight title as he turns his attention to a professional MMA debut, bjjee.com reported.

Speaking to reporters after facing Bryce Mitchell at UFC BJJ 11, Musumeci said it was time to begin discussions with the promotion about vacating the belt. He said he no longer had the desire to keep competing for it, having already won every jiu-jitsu title he wanted in his weight class, and that repeating the same thing had begun to feel played out.

Musumeci beat Mitchell on points at UFC BJJ 11, surviving a huge slam along the way: Mikey Musumeci beats Bryce Mitchell.

Musumeci said he was certain to move into MMA before the end of this year, putting his likely debut around November or December. He added that he had originally been due to compete in an MMA bout but now had to wait for a later event.

The match with Mitchell was fought under a gentleman's agreement that ruled out leg locks, normally a central part of Musumeci's game. Without them he leaned on wrestling and landed two takedowns.

Musumeci said the restriction changed his whole approach to the contest. He explained that he often competes without letting himself enjoy it, describing feeling miserable and robotic as he tries to finish opponents as quickly as possible. Against Mitchell, he said, he wanted to stay in the moment, have fun and make the match more entertaining.

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