The List: 3 reasons why Kade Ruotolo is the new face of submission grappling
The ONE Championship lightweight submission grappling titleholder is leading a revolution at just 20 years old.
ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo returns to action at “ONE Fight Night 11: Eersel vs. Menshikov” on Prime Video, which goes down at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 9.
The American grappling phenom defends the lightweight submission grappling strap against heated rival Tommy Langaker in the co-main event of the star-studded spectacle in the hopes of continuing his meteoric rise in the Singapore-based promotion.
Ruotolo has established himself as a genuine star on the global stage, and here are three reasons why he is the face of ONE’s push into the grappling arts.
1. The first-ever ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion
Ruotolo became ONE’s inaugural lightweight submission grappling king with a thrilling submission win over former four-time sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev at ONE Fight Night 3 in October 2022.
It was a landmark victory for the California native, and it ensured that Brazilian jiu-jitsu drew first blood in the burgeoning rivalry between “the gentle art” and sambo.
Such storylines are key to endearing a newly introduced sport to the masses, and Ruotolo has more than played his part in promoting the feud inside the ONE circle.
2. The skills to pay the bills
Ruotolo has been honing his Brazilian jiu-jitsu craft since the age of 3, and he earned his black belt at just 18 years old in late 2021.
From there, he quickly set about making his name. The California native claimed both the ADCC Submission Grappling World Championship and the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title in 2022 to solidify his status as one of the biggest stars in the sport.
With 13 submissions to his name, Ruotolo knows how to finish his opponents. His fan-friendly, submission-hunting style has made him an obvious choice to front ONE’s drive to bring submission grappling to the world.
3. Just getting started
At only 20 years old, Ruotolo is at the beginning of his career.
Little more than two months after claiming the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title, the Atos standout turned away another of the world’s best grapplers in Matheus Gabriel by scoring a dominant unanimous decision win at ONE Fight Night 5.
With a world title around his waist and a skyrocketing profile, Ruotolo is an athlete that ONE can build the fledgling lightweight division around for years to come.
Alongside his twin brother Tye – who is also undefeated under the ONE banner – Kade has elevated the Ruotolo name to become synonymous with promotion’s submission grappling division.