- Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis escalated this week: Reis denies “ducking,” says an injury and rehab blocked the match; Mikey insists he tried to book it “six or seven times.”
- Reis: he signed to face Mikey at ONE before getting hurt; focused on defending his ADCC title and rehabbing instead of taking the bout.
- Mikey: when they were both in ONE, Reis wouldn’t accept; after Mikey moved to UFC BJJ, Reis cited exclusivity.
- PED talk from prior months still shadows the feud—and sharpened the tone on both sides.
Baby Shark’s Rebuttal Lands: “I Didn’t Duck Mikey”
The newest volley in Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis came from the ADCC champ himself. Reis says there was a window when the match was real—and that it closed because he was injured, then rehabbing, and ultimately laser-focused on ADCC.
“When I signed with ONE Championship, I was supposed to face Musumeci… I had already signed to grapple Mike. And then I got injured against Pato.”
– Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis –
Reis adds that the layoff wasn’t a smokescreen; it was months of PT and strength work while keeping an eye on his weight and knee.
“It was six months of physical therapy… I had to gain more muscle mass to get stronger and support my knee… I focused solely on ADCC to defend my title.”
– Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis –
He also downplays the “mystery” of a meeting with Mikey—and takes a shot at Mikey’s tendencies.
“There’s no mystery to me… It would be that match between passer and guard player… I wouldn’t be surprised by Mike because his game is already predictable.”
– Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis –
“He Didn’t Want To Fight Me”: Mikey’s Side Of Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis
Mikey’s recounting flips the script: he says the matchup died on Reis’s side of the table—both when they shared ONE and after Mikey switched to UFC BJJ.
“He was exclusive to ONE when I was there, but he didn’t want to fight me when I was at ONE… I tried to fight him six, seven times last year. Every other month, I tried to have a match with him.”
– Mikey Musumeci –
The kicker is that, for Mikey, Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis isn’t just a booking—it’s the one fight that still lights a fire.
“That’s the only guy that gives me that fire to fight someone… I don’t get that fire with anyone else, just him.”
– Mikey Musumeci –
PED Allegations Resurface—And The Sharpest Clapbacks Yet
This rivalry’s sting didn’t start this week. In midsummer, Mikey publicly alleged PED issues around a proposed bout—claims Reis mocked and blasted back at in equally sharp language.
“Baby Shark canceled the match about 4 times because he sent them all the steroids he’s on… He said he can’t pass the d*ug test.”
– Mikey Musumeci –
Reis’s counterpunch? Part insult, part challenge.
“It seems he forgot to take his medicine… If you want to fight me, join the ADCC. I’ll talk to Mo and ask him to match us in the first round.”
– Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis –
What Would Decide It In 2025?
Strip the noise and Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis is a classic: precision guard vs pressure passer. Mikey’s entries and leg-lock sequencing punish hesitation; Reis’s hand-fight, pace, and back-take pressure smother space.
The rule-set is the swing vote: heel-hook friendly, submission-only parameters accent Mikey’s lanes; points and tighter pass/back control windows accent Reis’s. Either way, the tape study would be vicious.
The feud’s value isn’t just heat—it’s clarity. We now have both sides, on record, saying why Mikey Musumeci vs Diogo Reis didn’t happen and why each thinks the other blinked.
Add months of PED barbs and public callouts and you’ve got the rare rivalry that sells itself: a passer vs a guard player, a two-time ADCC king vs a UFC BJJ champion, both insisting they’re the one who’s been ready all along.
Book it and let the Internet argue in the replays!
