ONE on Prime Video 3 saw 19-year old grappling sensation Kade Ruotolo earn the inaugural ONE lightweight grappling world championship.
It won’t be long before the ADCC 2022 winner changes gears and looks to cross over to the mixed martial arts world.
Following a heel hook submission of Sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev, Ruotolo discussed making the transition to MMA with media outlets including Cageside Press.
“Guaranteed, guaranteed. I’ve been working it [MMA] a bit more,” Ruotolo told the media following Friday’s big win in Kuala Lumpur. “Kind of had to hit the brakes a little bit, I had that huge ADCC tournament and then now this, but I’m gonna continue working these hands, and my goal is early next year, to start mixing it up and then have that MMA debut. Beyond ecstatic for that as well.”
Ruotolo would later address the time frame of his anticipated MMA debut, and he clearly hopes it’s sooner rather than later.
“Guaranteed next year without a doubt, we’ll be in the cage, or the circle, with the gloves on. As far as what exact month, I can’t be certain, there’s not a specific date that we have signed,” he stated. “But definitely preferably within the first six months of next year, guaranteed, for sure.”
Asked by Cageside Press if he could make an immediate impact in MMA in an era where single-discipline dominance often isn’t enough, Ruotolo said he expects to make some “big waves” — but he’s no stranger to striking.
“I’ve been training jiu-jitsu my entire life, obviously that’s my strong suit,” Ruotolo explained. “However I love striking. It’s not like I’m just now picking it up. Over the years, striking, I think about 12-years old, we were training a bit of Muay Thai for a couple years. So I have a bit in me, it’s not like I’m completely new to the game. And I’m falling in love with it every day. It’s very new to me. Jiu-jitsu, not that I don’t love it of course, I’ve been doing it my entire life.”
“I’m learning every day and it’s refreshing. I’m just going to keep refining my skills, and I do believe the second I step in that circle, I’m going to make some big waves for sure.”
Both Kade Ruotolo and his twin brother Tye have found considerable success in the grappling world, but he was blunt on Friday about the tendency of fighters there to cheat. Picking up wins over those who would cut corners and use PEDs for an advantage, however, is a feather in his cap, he agreed.
“Absolutely, 100%. That’s honestly — I feel like at the end of the day, that’s almost what my brother and I pride ourselves most on. Obviously the wins are great, the belts are great, all the accolades are amazing. But at the end of the day, I almost feel like we’re out there trying to support the big picture, just trying to get some change in the sport,” said Ruotolo. “Because like I said, I truly believe 98, 99 percent of athletes in jiu-jitsu are on some sort of performance enhancing drug.”
Watch the full ONE on Prime Video 3 post-fight media appearance by Kade Ruotolo above.
