Mikey Musumeci will no longer compete against late-notice replacement Bebeto Oliveira at ONE 168: Denver.
It has been a rollercoaster of a week for Mikey Musumeci.
The New Jersey native was originally slated to move up three weight classes and challenge reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo for his belt on September 6 at ONE 168: Denver. But when Ruotolo was forced to withdraw due to injury, late-notice replacement Carlos “Bebeto” Oliveira stepped up to face Musumeci with Musumeci’s flyweight title on the line.
On Thursday, Musumeci failed to meet ONE’s 135-pound flyweight limit and failed to pass ONE’s hydration test. As a result, he was stripped of his ONE flyweight submission grappling world title, and the match was slated to move forward as an openweight bout.
However, per the statement provided by ONE below, Musumeci has decided to withdraw from the contest and will not be competing at ONE 168.
Statement from ONE Championship regarding Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168: Denver:
“After recent events, we feel it is necessary to provide additional context on Mikey Musumeci’s withdrawal from the ONE 168: Denver card.
“Mikey was obviously put in a difficult spot when Kade Ruotolo withdrew due to injury. When that happened, we worked closely with him and his team on a new opponent. Competing at flyweight was something he personally requested as he felt confident that he could make the hydrated limit of 135 pounds for a World Title defense. This is not something we pushed him to do on short-notice or would ever demand of a ONE athlete given how much we prioritize fighter safety.
“After Mikey failed weight and hydration tests on Thursday, he requested an openweight submission grappling contest against Bebeto Oliveira, and we continued to work with him to try and keep him on the card. He ultimately felt it was in his best interest to withdraw from the contest, and we are honoring that.”
