Mikey Musumeci delivered another standout performance at UFC BJJ 5 on Thursday night, adding another impressive win to his growing grappling résumé. The American jiu-jitsu specialist faced off against Scotland’s Shay Montague in a bout that showcased both strategy and technical mastery.
Before the fight, Musumeci emphasized that he would focus on wrestling rather than immediately hunting leg locks, a departure from his usual style. To underline his commitment to the game plan, he even wore a Dagestani chin strap, signaling his intent to engage in positional control rather than chasing submissions early. The stakes were high, as the UFC BJJ bantamweight title was on the line, with the co-main event featuring a middleweight title bout.
Musumeci Controls Pace, Overcomes Montague’s Leg Locks To Secure Fast Submission Victory
The first round was largely a tactical stalemate. Montague frequently inverted to seek leg locks, while Musumeci, staying true to his stated strategy, avoided these attacks. Montague reportedly injured his leg during this period, mentioning the issue to his coaches between rounds. Despite the slow start, the round highlighted Musumeci’s discipline in controlling the pace and sticking to his wrestling-focused plan.
Mikey Musumeci (UFC)Round two saw Musumeci finally make significant progress, passing Montague’s guard. However, Montague managed to trap Musumeci in a leg entanglement, forcing a temporary disengagement. Towards the end of the round, Musumeci capitalized on a brief opening and secured an ankle lock, forcing Montague to tap quickly. The bout, which began cautiously, concluded in an instant due to Musumeci’s sharp submission execution.
Post-fight, Musumeci expressed mixed feelings about his performance. He had aimed to showcase more wrestling and guard passes, stating that he wanted to finish the fight from a passing position. Despite the fast finish, he praised Montague’s flexibility and unorthodox guard, calling it “incredible” and “like a human pretzel.” Musumeci appreciated the challenge, noting that the match allowed him to experiment with a new approach and enjoy longer positional engagement before finishing.
Musumeci Challenges Top Lightweight Tsarukyan After Dominating UFC BJJ 5 Submission Victories
Following the win, Musumeci issued a bold callout to Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 2 lightweight in the world according to MMA Fighting’s global rankings. Musumeci took offense to Tsarukyan previously challenging actor Tom Hardy, a purple belt hobbyist, to a grappling match. He proposed moving up in weight to face Tsarukyan in a legitimate grappling bout, showcasing his competitive drive and ambition to challenge high-level opponents across divisions.
Other notable results from UFC BJJ 5 included Ronaldo Junior retaining his middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Norway’s Tarik Hopstock. Andy Murasaki submitted Andy Varela with an armbar in round one, while Rebeca Lima secured a second-round ankle lock victory. The night opened with Jalen Fonacier making history, finishing Carlos Oliveira with the fastest submission in UFC BJJ history via a heel hook.
Musumeci’s performance demonstrated his adaptability and technical skill, reinforcing his position as a dominant force in the UFC BJJ bantamweight division. While the fight ended quicker than anticipated, it offered fans a glimpse of Musumeci’s strategic versatility and readiness to tackle new challenges on the mat.
