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The reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion, is set to transition from grappling sensation to mixed martial arts contender. On June 7, Ruotolo will step into the Circle for the first time as a professional MMA fighter at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II, facing off against Hawaiian slugger Blake Cooper. The bout, taking place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, promises to captivate fans from both the grappling and MMA communities.
Kade Ruotolo: From Grappling Greatness to MMA
Ruotolo has already achieved extraordinary success in the world of grappling. He holds an undefeated record in ONE Championship, the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title, and the distinction of being the youngest-ever ADCC World Champion. Despite his deep roots in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ruotolo is eager to expand his horizons and tackle the challenges of mixed martial arts.
Reflecting on his upcoming debut, Ruotolo expressed his enthusiasm to onefc.com, saying, “Oh man, it’s a whole different world, that’s for sure. I’ve been falling in love with it more and more every single day, though. It’s something new. It’s exhilarating. Not that jiu-jitsu isn’t. I love jiu-jitsu, my adrenaline is always pumping, but it’s a different type of exhilarating. It’s hard to almost explain it. I’m just extremely excited and excited to show the world what I can do.”
Showcasing His Exciting Style
Kade Ruotolo is renowned for his relentless aggression and inventive submission techniques in grappling, and he intends to bring the same electrifying style to his MMA fights. Facing Cooper, he aims to demonstrate his dynamic approach and thrill fans with his performance.
“I want to give a show. I want to have fun out there. Obviously, I want to get the finish, and I truly believe that I will get that finish,” Ruotolo stated.
“Just like my jiu-jitsu matches, I want there to be more of a reason than just the win for people to watch my matches. I want people to be excited, to be wowed, and I want to entertain. That’s the goal on June 7.”
Training for a New Challenge
Preparing for his clash with Blake Cooper, Ruotolo has incorporated striking and MMA practices into his routine, complementing his BJJ training. With the support of respected MMA coaches Erik Paulsen and Tyler Wombles, the transition has been smooth for the lightweight grappling champion.
Ruotolo is confident that he and his brother, current ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo, possess the grappling techniques and mental fortitude well-suited for MMA. This self-assurance will be put to the test as he steps into the Circle for his MMA debut.