Musumeci Handicaps Himself Against Mitchell At UFC BJJ 11

UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci meets UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell on Thursday night at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas with self-imposed handicaps that turn the grappling match into what MMA Mania called a freakshow bout. Musumeci promised not to pull guard, butt scoot, or go for his trademark leg attacks despite giving up significant size to the wrestler.

The bantamweight champion has won four straight matches by submission, per MMA Fighting, and told reporters he plans to accept takedowns and work sweeps or submissions from bottom position instead of his usual leg-lock game. Mitchell is making his UFC BJJ debut after a 19-3 run in the UFC cage. His last grappling crossover ended badly when a teenager heel hooked him in seconds, according to MMA Mania.

The co-main event has UFC BJJ light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler defending against CJI champion Nick Rodriguez in what both outlets characterized as the card's most competitive match. Fowler has held the strap since the promotion launched its no-gi jiu-jitsu series earlier this year.

UFC BJJ 11 streams on UFC Fight Pass starting at 8 p.m. ET, marking the end of the promotion's free YouTube distribution. The prelims feature Mason Stritzel against Sebastian Zazueta and Kolby Gonzalez taking on Daniel Deeder. The main card also includes Aurelie Le Vern facing Rana Willink and Jay Rodriguez meeting Kevin Behring.

Musumeci has submitted world champion grapplers from top position throughout his career, which suggests the absence of leg locks may not matter much against a wrestler crossing over from MMA. The match airs Thursday night from Nevada.