Tammi Musumeci is preparing to step out of the shadow of her younger brother – ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci.
Musumeci, the 2022 IBJJF no-gi world champion, will make her ONE Championship debut when she meets Brazilian star Bianca Basilio in a strawweight submission grappling bout at ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24.
When the American grappler finally steps into the ONE circle, there will likely be comparisons drawn between her and her famous brother.
The 28-year-old is embracing the inevitable talking points. Given their lifetime spent training together, Musumeci says that there will, in fact, be noticeable similarities in their styles.
“I feel I’m like Mikey. I like to joke around and say that I’m the knock-off version of him. He gets mad when I say that,” she quipped.
“I feel like I also have some pressure on top, which is a little different. I do some little things differently than him, I think, because we’re different body types. But I feel like a lot of times, it’s closer to his style.”
But the night won’t just be all about Musumeci. Simply put, her opponent is no pushover.
Basilio is a former IBJJF and ADCC world champion with an incredible 101-37 record in her native sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
But it’s not just the 27-year-old’s career accolades that have gained her opponent’s respect. It’s also the way that she carries herself.
“I like her attitude. Maybe because I’m getting older, but no matter if she wins or loses, she always looks like she’s having fun out there,” Musumeci said.
“And she appreciates being there. I respect her for that, as well. It’s one thing to win at what she does and to be good, but I respect her attitude.”
Basilio showed her class in her promotional debut at ONE 163 last November, when she needed only 43 seconds to dispose of Japanese grappling prodigy Milena Sakumoto.
However, with multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships under her belt, Musumeci won’t be coming to the bout empty-handed.
While she is aware of the threat the Almeida Jiu-Jitsu representative poses, the American is ready for the challenge of facing one of the world’s premier grappling enthusiasts.
“I think she’s one of the best out there. I mean, she’s aggressive, she’s technical, she’s one of the best out there at that weight,” Musumeci said.
“I wouldn’t just say at the weight. I’d say of all the smaller girls, any of those weights, she’s one of the top girls. So, I think it’s an honor to fight her.”
