Reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo faced his biggest test yet in the shape of Norwegian BJJ phenom Tommy Langaker.
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At ONE Fight Night 11 on Prime Video last Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo faced his biggest test yet in the shape of Norwegian BJJ phenom Tommy Langaker. But, after 10 minutes of heated back-and-forth, the 20-year-old prodigy won by unanimous decision, securing the second successful defense of his gold and extending his unblemished record as a black belt.
Ruotolo is quick to compliment Langaker, who was able to threaten early in the fight with a deep heel hook attempt, sending the World Champion sprawling across the ring in defense. Following that first submit attempt, the American prodigy turned up the heat with persistent guard passes, his own nasty leg lock, and multiple close looks at his opponent’s back.
Ruotolo stated after the fight that he thought his assaults were stacking up and that he was on the verge of adding another submission finish to his excellent resume:
“Yeah, it was definitely a tough scrap for sure. Tommy was an amazing opponent. I knew he’d be a tough match leading into this. I think in a couple of more minutes, I definitely would have had him. I felt him really fading at the end, getting really tired.”
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Kade Ruotolo is excited to return after fighting in front of a rowdy Thai audience at a historic venue. But the next time he walks into the building, he wants to be lacing up 4-ounce gloves and delighting spectators in the all-around sport of MMA. According to Ruotolo:
“The energy was pretty nuts. I love the venue. Honestly, it’s got to be one of my favorite venues that I’ve ever been to, iconic. And hopefully, the next time I step into this arena, it’ll be maybe for some MMA. I’m super excited and hopefully, we can mix it up and you know, really get the crowd on their feet.”
Already an ADCC World Champion, the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion, and widely regarded as the planet’s top pound-for-pound ground fighter, Ruotolo is chomping at the bit to try his hand at MMA.
That transition can’t come soon enough, he says: “I want it to be this year, no matter what. Hopefully, in the near future. Like I said many times, if it was up to me, it would be next month.”
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