The IBJJF Pan-Ams 2020 mark the first big IBJJF event since everything was put on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic and it will now go ahead without one of the biggest names in the sport, Mikey Musumeci. The news came directly from Musumeci himself, via his official Instagram account, where he explained that his decision came about when he started filming his latest BJJ Fanatics instructional. Apparently, Musumeci wants to spend the coming months putting together more instructional content for his fans and has a desire to share the systems he’s created that have allowed him to win at the highest levels time and time again.
It’s been an unusual time for Musumeci lately as both him and his equally successful sister Tammi decided to leave the Caio Terra Academy for new training grounds not so long ago. Fans were excited to see Mikey Musumeci compete at the Pan-Ams this year after his incredible performance at the IBJJF European Open where he entered the Absolute division and narrowly missed out on a podium position. His decision to withdraw will leave a gap in the market for a lighter competitor to step up to the challenge and become the latest in a long line of giant killers, to surprise the heaviest entrants.
With the IBJJF Pan-Ams 2020 going ahead at a time when the United States have put restrictions on travel, many Brazilian athletes have spoken out against the decision. No doubt they would be grateful to be in the same position as Musumeci and have the ability to choose whether to compete or not. That being said, the situation is constantly changing and a lot can happen in the time between now and the start of the Pan-Ams on October 8th.
