Mikey Musumeci Enters the Open Class At IBJJF Euros 2020
Mikey Musumeci after moving up from the Roosterweight division to the Light Feather division late last week has announced and registered for the Open Class at the 2020 IBJJF European Championships.
Mikey Musumeci Posted an Image of His Registration
Does Mikey Musumeci Have What it Takes to Win the Absolute Class?
The 2017, 2018 Light Feather world champion and 2019 Roosterweight champ is no stranger to competition at the highest levels. But this will be his first entrance into an open class division at Black Belt.
Mikey’s Registration for the Open Class at IBJJF Euros 2020
Historically since earning his black belt the highest weight Mikey has competed at is -70 kg and the lowest weight has been -57 kg. With his competition such as former world champion Mahamed Aly possibly exceeding 120 kg and most likely also entering the absolute it will be interesting to see how Mikey rises to the challenge. There is a potential for a 60+ Kg difference in weight in some of the matchups possible in the absolute class.
Historical Perspective
Although it would be amazing to see Mikey repeat something like Bruno Malfacine 2013 Atlanta Open absolute victory we cannot recall the last time a Light Featherweight or Roosterweight has taken a medal in an Adult Black Belt division at an IBJJF Major.
Possible Bye or Drop Out
With absolute division entries it is always a real possibility that the entrant does not show for the division. Black Belts are able to register for the absolute without needing to medal in their division, so as the week goes on conditions change, and it is possible that Mikey has potentially used this registration to give a teammate, or friend a bye into the later rounds.
2019 Absolute Upsets
Lachlan Giles and Keith Krikorian both entered the absolute division at ADCC 2019. Lachlan shocked the world with three heel hook submissions and a third place at the worlds most prestigious No-Gi event. It is always a possibility that Mikey with his dangerous IBJJF legal footlock game can replicate Lachlan’s performance from ADCC 2019 at the 2020 IBJJF Europeans Championships.
Hear our full division preview of the 2020 IBJJF Euros below, preview starts at 28:30.