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Honolulu, Hawaii - Kade Ruotolo, a 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) phenom, is making a much-anticipated leap into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). He'll debut at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II this Friday, June 7th, on Prime Video, and his excitement is palpable.
Training with the Best:
Just before his first MMA fight, Ruotolo honed his skills with none other than Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, a legendary MMA champion. The two discussed Ruotolo's transition on Johnson's "Mightycast" show.
A Dream Realized:
Ruotolo, a reigning ONE World Champion in submission grappling, has always harbored an ambition for MMA. "We grew up watching MMA," he confessed. "It was a bucket list thing. I had to fight MMA."
From Grappling Great to MMA Aspirant:
With an impressive record of grappling victories and an ADCC World Championship under his belt, Ruotolo feels this is the perfect time to take on the challenges of MMA.
"The urge has been growing more and more," he explained. "Honestly, I wanna get paid now! I love fighting, but jiu-jitsu feels more like a match, not a fight."
Confidence and Learning Curve:
Ruotolo acknowledges the steep learning curve ahead, but his grappling expertise provides a strong foundation.
"Every time I train MMA, I'm learning something new," he says, embracing the challenge. "I'm not very fearful, and my coach and family are happy with the progress."
The Unexpected Hurdle:
Despite his extensive training, Ruotolo revealed a surprising hurdle – cardio. "The hardest thing was the cardio on my legs," he confessed, catching even "Mighty Mouse" off guard. "The hopping is different. Jiu-jitsu doesn't prepare you for that."
Eyes on the Prize:
Ruotolo's dedication to BJJ began at the tender age of 3, making him a world-class grappler. But now, he's eager to explore a new facet of combat sports. With his unwavering determination and impressive skillset, Ruotolo's MMA debut promises to be an exciting spectacle.