ONE Championship welterweight submission grappling champion Kade Ruotolo rematched his rival, fellow elite jiu-jitsu practitioner Tommy Langaker, in ONE 165’s co-main event.
They first fought for this title last year, with Ruotolo winning by a somewhat controversial decision on points. It was a highly entertaining bout, with great scrambles and good submission attempts both ways over the twelve minute bout. The second did not dissappoint, but the dynamic was much different as Ruotolo was a step ahead the whole way, compared to the thin margins of their first match.
Ruotolo went for a jumping leg lock early on but Tommy extricated his legs and got on top in Kade’s full guard. High-pace scrambles ensued which ended with Ruotolo on the reverse crucifix. Langaker escaped but Kade got on top again and went for a d’Arce choke. It did not finish the fight but as the halfway mark of the bout ticked past, Ruotolo had a clear lead.
From half-guard the champ locked up another d’Arce, one which got extremely close. Langaker got close to tapping but ultimately got out, however Kade was again a step ahead as he locked up another reverse crucifix position as he let go of the submission attempt. Langaker got back to half-guard and attacked leg submissions, but Ruotolo fought back with some of his own. Langaker got on top after defending it but fell right into a triangle. Kade transitioned between a regular triangle choke and a modified version, the tipi version, but neither was that close to finishing the fight, though the bell ended the fight before Langaker could fully escape.
This rematch saw Kade erase any doubts from the last fight as he largely dominated his foe, winning the unanimous decision without question and defending his belt for a third time, remaining undefeated in ONE Championship.
Official Result: Kade Ruotolo def. Tommy Langaker by Unanimous Decision
