Kade Ruotolo has been talking about transitioning to MMA for several years. He and his brother, Tye Ruotolo, have been sharpening their Muay Thai skills in Bangkok ahead of a potential debut.
They have been training at the Superbon Camp in Lat Prao. The brothers have been working with Trainer Gae whose credentials could not be much better having coached both Superbon Banchamek and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
Ruotolo defended his flyweight submission grappling title for the second time at ONE Fight Night 11 last weekend. He enjoyed competing at Lumpinee Stadium and wants to participate in an MMA fight there,
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.
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Work in progress
In the video Ruotolo can be seen learning the mechanics of a head kick from Trainer Gae. He won’t be winning any standup fights with the ONE Championship flyweights judging from this footage but will always have his world class grappling skills to fall back on.
But while Ruotolo’s striking game appears to be very much a work in progress he wants to compete in MMA as soon as possible,
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.
There is also some footage of Ruotolo working on his boxing while still in the US. He is training with Jason Parillo who has worked with numerous mixed martial artists including former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn:
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Come and get me
Given his status as a champion there could be quite a few ONE Championship flyweights looking to get matched with Ruotolo on his debut. None of them could feel confident of matching the BJJ black belt on the ground but they might believe they could knock him out.
Ruotolo doesn’t have any names in mind but has basically sent a ‘come and get me’ message to the division:
As I said before, that’s always what motivates me. It’s whoever wants to fight me, especially, when there’s a bit of tension as someone comes at me with, ‘I want Kade Ruotolo.’ Then I’m like, let’s get it. That’s the one that I want.
The 20 year old is on an incredible 17 match winning streak in submission grappling. He is brave enough to test himself in a completely different sport and wants to sit what could be a difficult examination as soon as possible.
