In the legendary corridors of Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, the atmosphere was electric as jiu-jitsu prodigy, Tye Ruotolo, executed another masterclass in submission. One could hear the crowd’s admiration at ONE Fight Night 13, where he achieved his fourth consecutive victory under ONE Championship.
Securing a win over the fierce Turkish knockout specialist, Dagi Arslanaliev, Ruotolo did it in a little over two and a half minutes. Post the match, an elated Ruotolo poured his heart out about what this victory meant to him, “It means the most to me. To represent the jiu-jitsu community the best way possible is all I really want. I’m elated with how tonight went down. The support has been overwhelming, and I’m keen to keep pushing forward.”
What makes Ruotolo’s victory even more captivating is the chance he now has. The recent triumph has paved the way for him to contend for the maiden ONE welterweight submission grappling world championship. While the specifics remain under wraps, one thing is for certain: if Ruotolo manages to clinch the title, he’ll join the ranks alongside his sibling, Kade Ruotolo, as joint world champions.
The Ruotolo brothers have become a force to reckon with in the world of combat sports. Kade Ruotolo’s stellar unanimous decision over Tommy Langaker at ONE: Fight Night 11, coupled with his brother’s triumphs, showcases their combined might of eight wins with five finishes ever since their double debut at ONE 157 last year.
Tye’s recent victory was laden with more surprises than one could expect. In his post-fight chat with Mitch Chilson, the revelation that left everyone astounded was the announcement of Tye competing for the premiere 185-pound submission grappling world championship. This wasn’t just a win; it was a direct ticket to something monumental. He expressed his excitement in an interview with The South China Morning Post, revealing, “I’ve been hinting at a 185-lb division for a while. My brother dominates the 170, so tonight’s announcement took me by surprise. They handed me the chance for the title, and I’m beyond thrilled. I’m ready to get back out there and perform.”
Though details about his next bout remain scarce, Ruotolo’s recent overpowering of Arslanaliev hints that he’s gearing up and is more than eager to return to the mat. His aim? A solid 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold.
The journey of the Ruotolo brothers in the martial arts arena is a testament to their talent, determination, and hard work. As Tye prepares for his next big challenge, the world watches with bated breath, anticipating yet another mesmerising performance.
