Elite Grappler Mikey Musumeci has earned his first victory under the UFC banner.
The UFC has been home to many submission specialists over the years, but the promotion is now looking for a more important player in the Submission Grappling World via UFC BJJ.
To start their newest company, the promotion put together a reality TV series that followed in the footsteps of 'The Ultimate Fighter'.
Musumeci, who previously participated for one championship, served as one of the coaches for 'UFC BJJ: Road to the Title', before he finally got the chance to compete on June 25.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Mikey Musumeci refers to Royce Gracie when celebrating his UFC BJJ 1 Main Event Win
Mikey Musumeci became the first competitor to won a UFC BJJ head event on 25 June after he had submitted Rerisson Gabriel throughout Hook in the third round.
The victory sees 'Darth Rigatoni' the inaugural UFC BJJ Bantamweight title adding to his already fantastic trophy cabinet, with two other champions that are crowned earlier in the night.
Musumeci is no stranger to compete at the highest level in struggling as the first American to win more than one Ibjjf world championship in Black, after he has won a total of five.
That said, the 28-year-old was incredibly proud to write his name in the UFC history books by the first event in Headliner.
The first event of the MMA promotion, UFC 1 in 1993, also saw an elite joke overcoming when Royce Gracie helped to bring Jiu-Jitsu to the spotlight.
Musumeci referred to following Gracie's footsteps during his interview after the fight.
“This is just so cool. Looking back on history, this is UFC BJJ 1. Like the time of Royce Gracie, and I was the first main event on this card. It's just such an honor.”
Mikey Musumeci takes a chance of rival promotions after finding a house under the UFC banner
Mikey Musumeci is always motivated by wanting to grow Jiu-Jitsu and struggle the submission.
He believes that with the support of the UFC the sport now has the perfect platform to do that because of the solid foundations.
After his victory, Musumeci spoke with the media and spoke about how UFC BJJ will inspire more athletes because it is a promotion that is not going anywhere.
“I might have been able to go to other organizations and do different things, just to make a fast payment day or things like that. But I just wanted to concentrate on what our sport would grow most and sustainably, not only investors and then bankrupt. Investors bankrupt random organizations. I feel that what we did and what we do is sustainable.”
UFC BJJ has already announced its schedule for the rest of the year with events that take place on 31 July, 2 October and 11 December.