ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci added another chapter to his impressive story this past weekend with an awe-inspiring victory over a martial arts legend.

At ONE Fight Night 15 last Friday, October 6, ‘Darth Rigatoni’ submitted Shinya Aoki to win their highly anticipated openweight submission grappling matchup.

ONE Fight Night 15: Mikey Musumeci submits Shinya Aoki with ‘Aoki Lock’

Despite giving up over 10 pounds to the Japanese martial arts veteran, Musumeci became the first man to draw a tap from Aoki since 2017, and he did it using his opponent’s own move. Many might see the finish as a slap in the face for ‘Tobikan Judan,’ but Musumeci insisted that he utilized the submission with respect in mind when speaking with Mitch Chilson in his post-fight interview. “The position I hit was called an Aoki lock – it’s a modified heel hook, but I learned this position from Shinya Aoki. It’s his submission that he invented,” the 27-year-old said.

“When I think of what a master of jiu-jitsu is, it’s somebody that inspires another generation, and then they’re doing the positions that you created. So, Shinya deserves so much credit. I did his move on him. So that’s like a master to student.” Aoki has dabbled in multiple disciplines throughout his two-decade career. As one of the best MMA grapplers in the world, he has captivated audiences again and again. Musumeci revealed he has admired the 40-year-old’s work since he was a child, and he had nothing but praise for him after their meeting.

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“I was such a big fan of Shinya growing up, and now I’m doing his position on him that he created. That’s amazing,” Musumeci said. “Shinya deserves so much credit being here, competing still. He’s an idol of mine from four years old. And he’s still competing, challenging himself. That’s a champion.” The Evolve MMA representative also revealed that he almost didn’t make Friday’s event, as he had been suffering from a high fever a week before. He persevered, though, and pushed himself to compete in order to fulfill his promise to fans.

A move to MMA might be next in line for the Grappling prodigy

As for what comes next, Musumeci continued to hint that he may be looking at a switch in sport in the near future. He has been training in Muay Thai of late, and he teased that there may be another discipline on the horizon for him.

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“I want to keep learning and get better and one day do MMA here in Lumpinee. That would be my dream,” he said. “But yeah, every month, I challenge myself. I’m one of the most active athletes in ONE Championship. And I’m constantly pushing myself, and I’m so excited for my next challenge.”