2020 Europeans a look at Mikey Musumeci, and Bruno Malfacine

By Maine Miller, January 19, 2020

Mikey Musumeci had previously been registered at Roosterweight for the 2020 European IBJJF European Championships. The Euros as its commonly called is the first IBJJF Major event of the 2020, and the largest BJJ event in Europe. The 2019 IBJJF Roosterweight World champion, and 2018, and 2017 light feather world champion returns to the Euros for the first time since 2017 where he took the gold at light feather.

Bruno Malfacine Returns to Euros

A potential rematch was anticipated between Bruno Malfacine and Mikey after their 2019 razor close match in the semifinals of the IBJJF World Championships. Bruno has been absent from the Euros since 2011. With the announcement of his retirement from BJJ competition in 2019, the 10-time Roostweight champ is a welcome addition to the 2020 Euros. At this time it is unknown if Bruno will be present again at the 2020 World championships.

With Brunos being seeded first he has received a bye into the quarterfinals where he will face the winner of Atos Jiu-Jitsu Kristian Woodmansee or Cicero Costha International newly promoted black belt Thalison Soares. The roosterweight division is stacked at the 2020 Euros with seven of the nine competitors in the division having earned grand slam points in the last three IBJJF seasons.

Roosterweight Rematches at the 2020 Euros

The right side of the bracket sees Tomoyuki Hashimoto (author of Effective Open Guard) matched with Nobuhiro Sawada in the first round quarterfinals match. This is a rematch of the 2019 world championships, and 2017 IBJJF Asian Open that saw Hashimoto take points victories over Sawada. In the Semi Finals on the right side of the bracket if Cleber Sousa is able to get past Luchas Ramos Goncalves then we are guaranteed him rematch either Hashimoto or Sawada. Cleber has taken victories over both of these grapplers in the past.

The right side of the bracket roosterweight rematches between Bruno and Koji Shibamoto are possible in the semifinals; with their most recent matches being a points victory by Bruno in 2015 and a submission victory in 2011.

In the finals a number of rematches between Bruno and the right side of the bracket are possible. Both Tomoyuki Hashimoto and Nobuhiro Sawada have faced Bruno in the recent past with Bruno having two submission victories over Hashimoto in the 2017, and 2018 world championships; and Bruno having a submission victory over Sawada in the 2018 world championships.

Musumeci Light Feather Rematches at the 2020 Euros

On the right side of the bracket Mikey Musumeci is notably the one seed with no black belt rematches possible from before finals. In the finals we could see a rematch between Mikey and Hiago George. Both of their matches took place in 2017 and saw Mikey take the victory.

The Future of a Mikey Musumeci and Bruno Malfacine Rematch

Although Mikey has moved up from roosterweight and a rematch with Bruno is not possible at the 2020 Euros, it does not mean that this rematch is not on the table for the future. With both men primarily competing in the worlds each year it is possible that we see Mikey make the cut to Roosterweight again to defend his 2019 IBJJF World Championship at the weight, and see this anticipated rematch.

These Roostweweight and Light Feather divisions are very talent rich this year and with the Euros being the first IBJJF Grand Slam event of 2020 there are always big upsets at the event. Number one seed Mikey Musumeci, and Bruno Malfacine are anticipated to take their divisions but with the unpredictable nature of the euros we will have to wait and see who can claim the 2020 IBJJF European Title.