Michael Musumeci

Michael Musumeci, also known as Mikey Musumeci, is an accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Gilbert “Durinho” Burns and Jonatas “Tagarela” Gurgel. Musumeci made a name for himself in the lower belt divisions of the sport by winning sequential world titles from juvenile blue, up to brown belt, with a modern style of grappling heavily reliant on the berimbolo and crab ride positions which made Mikey one of the main representatives of this modern-day approach to grappling. Mikey is also the 4th North-American to have ever conquered an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championship gold medal in the male black belt division, as well as the first USA athlete to conquer this more than two times.

Michael Musumeci Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Michael Musumeci Jr.

Nickname: Mikey, short for Michael.

Lineage 1: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Andre Pederneiras > Rafael Fofitio > Gilbert Burns > Michael Musumeci

Lineage 2: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie >Andre Pederneiras > Joao Roque > Jonatas Gurgel > Michael Musumeci

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2017 / 2018 / 2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2017 / 2020)
• 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2015 / 2016)
• 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2016)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro (2017)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Los Angeles (2016)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2014 purple, 2015 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF Juvenile World Championship (2012 / 2013)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2014 purple, 2015 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF Juvenile Pan Championship (2012 / 2013)
• 1st Place IBJJF Juvenile World No-Gi Championship (2011)
• 1st Place IBJJF Juvenile Pan No-Gi Championship (2011)

Favorite Position/Technique: Berimbolo

Weight Division: Peso Pluma (64,00 kg / 141.5 lbs)

Team/Association: Caio Terra Association

Michael Musumeci Biography

Michael Musumeci was born on the 7th of July, 1996 in Marlboro, New Jersey, United States of America.

Michael started learning jiu-jitsu at the age of 4 with coach Fernando “Cabeça” at Fatijo’s Martial Arts Academy. He remained under Cabeça’s guidance until his 10th birthday, when Musumeci and his family moved to Wellington, Florida.

In Florida, Michael continued his jiu-jitsu journey at Marcelo Ribeiro’s gym. This relationship didn’t last long as Ribeiro moved to Texas shortly after. The Musumeci’s then joined coach Emyr “Shark” Bussade of American Top Team. At Bussade’s academy, Michael received his green and blue belts.

During Michael’s stay at Emyr Bussade’s academy, the Mendes Bros came by for a few seminars, thus starting a long-lasting relationship between Michael and the formidable brothers. Musumeci stayed in touch with Rafael and Guilherme, attending seminars, taking private lessons, and visiting their gym.

As time went by, Michael’s family moved further south, at this point Michael joined Javill Byron’s gym at WMB Miami. Byron awarded Musumeci his purple belt after his second world title as a juvenile blue belt.

After Michael’s family moved back to Boca Raton, Florida, Mikey regained contact with coach Bussade at ATT Wellington, and with Jonatas Gurgel at ATT Aventura. He also started teaching at the Jaco Training Center together with his sister Tammi Musumeci, where they met Gilbert Burns, who became a training partner and mentor.

Throughout his hectic training schedule, Michael Musumeci also maintained regular contact with the Mendes Brothers visiting their Art of Jiu-Jitsu training center. It would be Guilherme Mendes who awarded Mikey his brown belt whilst on the podium, after his 2014 purple belt world title.

After his brown belt world title, Mikey Musumeci also added regular trips to AJ Sousa‘s gym. The following year, after yet another impressive win at the 2015 worlds, Musumeci was awarded his black belt in a combined effort between Jonatas Gurgel and Gilbert Burns. He was 18 years old at the time.