Kade Ruotolo, the highly touted grappling prodigy, is set to make his much-anticipated mixed martial arts (MMA) debut this spring, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.
The 21-year-old phenom’s first foray into the world of MMA will take place on June 7 at ONE 167, held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Ruotolo will compete in a lightweight bout against Blake Cooper, the younger brother of accomplished PFL fighter Ray Cooper.
Few fighters in the world possess the immense potential that Ruotolo carries. With his youth and exceptional skills, he could very well become the face of ONE Championship in the years to come. However, this will ultimately depend on his ability to secure victories and captivate audiences with his exciting fighting style.
In the ONE 167 bout, Cooper is expected to rely heavily on his wrestling background, while Ruotolo will aim to counter with a combination of his world-class jiu-jitsu and striking skills. The clash of these contrasting styles promises to be a compelling spectacle for fans.
Ruotolo currently holds the prestigious title of ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion. Prior to his MMA debut, he will compete in a non-title bout against Francisco Lo tonight at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. Meanwhile, his twin brother Tye, who holds the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Championship, will make his first title defense against Izaak Michell on the same card.
With their exceptional grappling pedigree and the potential for success in MMA, the Ruotolo brothers are undoubtedly ones to watch in the coming years.
