Mikey Musumeci secured another impressive victory at UFC BJJ 5 on Thursday night, taking on Shay Montague. Musumeci aimed to showcase his wrestling skills, wearing a Dagestani chin strap to highlight his strategy of not rushing into leg locks.
The main event featured a battle for the UFC BJJ bantamweight title, alongside the middleweight title in the co-main event. In the first round, both fighters seemed cautious, with Montague looking for openings for leg locks but Musumeci staying focused and avoiding those tactics. Montague mentioned to his coaches that he might have injured his leg during this round, affecting his performance later on.
In the second round, Musumeci managed to pass Montague’s guard but was later countered as Montague sought to regain control. The turning point came when Musumeci found an opportunity in a leg entanglement. He quickly locked in an ankle lock, forcing Montague to tap out.
Despite the win, Musumeci expressed mixed feelings afterward. He wanted to engage more in wrestling rather than focus on submissions. “It’s a little bittersweet,” he admitted. “I wanted to do more passing. I felt like I got that foot lock really fast.” He praised Montague’s defensive skills, referring to him as “like a human pretzel” for his flexibility.
This match served as a reminder of the evolving strategies in grappling. Musumeci’s desire to experiment reflects a broader trend where athletes often seek to diversify their skill sets rather than rely on one technique. The grappling community has seen significant changes over the years, with increased training in various disciplines influencing how matches are approached.
Musumeci also had a target in his sights after the fight. He called out Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 2 lightweight in global rankings, who had recently challenged actor Tom Hardy to a grappling match. Musumeci took issue with this, suggesting that Tsarukyan should face a dedicated grappler instead. “Let’s have some fun in a matchup,” he proposed.
In other bouts of the evening, Ronaldo Junior defeated Tarik Hopstock by unanimous decision, claiming the middleweight title. Andy Murasaki submitted Andy Varela with an impressive armbar in the first round, while Rebeca Lima won her fight with a second-round ankle lock. Jalen Fonacier made history by achieving the fastest submission in UFC BJJ, securing a heel hook against Carlos Oliveira.
Overall, UFC BJJ 5 not only highlighted individual talents but also showcased an evolving sport where strategies are constantly shifting and competitors are eager to adapt. For more in-depth information on grappling techniques and match strategies, check out this detailed analysis from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
Source link
Latest News,UFC,UFC News
