Mikey Musumeci Set For First World Title Defense Against Sayan Khartek

Mikey Musumeci’s return is set.

On Saturday, 14 January, he will enter the Circle to make the first defence of his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov.

The 26-year-old’s first challenge will come in the form of Sayan Khertek at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

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The challenge at hand is a direct response to the callout made by “Darth Rigatoni” following his capture of the World Title against Cleber Sousa in October at ONE Fight Night 2. 

January’s matchup will be the third bout for Musumeci under the ONE Championship banner, where he is currently undefeated in the flyweight submission grappling division. 

Musumeci made it clear in his victory speech against Sousa that he wants the fiercest competition from the sambo world, and Khertek fits the New Jersey native’s criteria request.

The man who will be standing opposite him in the Circle at ONE Fight Night 6 is a standout grappler who packs a multitude of accolades, one in particular being a 2022 Sambo World Championship.

The bout will be the Russian’s first venture inside the Circle and will offer a variety of unfamiliar aspects, such as competing under ONE rules without a gi.

However, the two-time World Sambo Champion holds over a decade of competitive experience as well as a black belt in judo to even-up the playing field against Musumeci.

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While the score reads 3-0 in favor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in its ongoing battle with sambo in ONE, Khertek will be hoping to adjust the trajectory of the sport while dethroning the youthful champion in the process.

A win for Musumeci would further assert himself atop the flyweight submission grappling ranks against one of the toughest disciplines in combat sports.

More bouts are expected to be announced for ONE Fight Night 6 as we move closer to 2023.

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