After defeating Tommy Langaker at ONE 165 in Tokyo, Japan, Kade Ruotolo spoke about his potential MMA debut.
On Sunday, at ONE 165, reigning ONE light-weight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo efficiently defended his belt in opposition to present IBJJF no-gi world champion Tommy Langaker.
A rematch of the pair’s razor-close June 2023 conflict, Ruotolo was this time in a position to safe a way more clear-cut determination victory.
After a quick feeling-out course of on the toes, Ruotolo went proper to work attacking submissions, leaping into an armbar try earlier than trying to assault the toes. And whereas Langaker would escape these early submissions, he remained on the defensive for a lot of the 10-minute submission-only affair.
The Californian discovered extra success by way of the match’s center stretch, as he was in a position to safe the crucifix place the place he regarded to assault the arm.
Once more, Langaker would escape solely to seek out himself in bother simply moments later. Ruotolo scored with a few his trademark D’arce makes an attempt – each of which appeared to have Langaker on the verge of tapping.
The challenger displayed elite submission protection in escaping and even mounted some offense of his personal within the contest’s closing moments, however, in the end, Ruotolo had completed sufficient to safe the unanimous determination victory, marking the third profitable protection of his ONE world title.
The win additionally earned the Andre Galvao black belt a $50,000 efficiency bonus.
Kade Ruotolo teases MMA debut
After the bout, Kade Ruotolo spoke about his much-anticipated debut in combined martial arts.
The 21-year-old has not too long ago been seen coaching his hanging with Jason Parillo – coach to prime MMA stars resembling Michael Bisping, Marlon “Chito” Vera, and Luke Rockhold.
Based on Ruotolo, he’s hoping to make his MMA debut underneath the ONE Championship banner as early as this spring, and he’s already enthusiastic about changing into a two-sport world champion:
“Surely, it’s coming quickly, 110 % this yr. And I’m hoping for early or mid this yr. I’d actually be stoked to get it completed by March or Could. It’s kinda been like my timeframe.
“I do know it’s developing actually fast, however, you already know, my dream is to turn out to be the double-champ for ONE Championship – jiu-jitsu and MMA. I’d like to think about myself as a real martial artist, you already know. I don’t assume I’ve ever turned down a struggle and I really feel like I simply like to struggle. I really feel like inside jiu-jitsu, there’s so many guidelines and I’ve so many fights out of me, if that is sensible, you already know. I’m simply excited to indicate every little thing I’ve.”
