“I think Kade's going to beat them” - Danielle Kelly predicts Kade Ruotolo to conquer sambo at ONE on Prime Video 3

Last month, Kade Ruotolo made history at ADCC by becoming the youngest world champion in the history of the submission grappling tournament. On Friday night, Ruotolo will once again be presented with the opportunity to make history as he steps into the Circle for his sophomore appearance in ONE Championship.

The 19-year-old grappling wizard will face sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev to crown the promotion’s first-ever lightweight submission grappling world champion. All eyes will be on the two warriors as they square off in U.S. primetime. That includes another grappling star in Danielle Kelly.

Working towards her own return to the Circle after a fantastic debut at ONE: X in March, Kelly sat down with ONE Championship to discuss the submission grappling showcase and the potential advantages that Kurzhev may have walking into his high-profile ONE Championship debut.

“I'm pretty sure they probably fight in a cage, so maybe that's the only advantage they have. If you're going into [a fight with] a national champion, or a number one, you should most definitely take them seriously.”

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Kade Ruotolo vs. Uali Kurzhev will be a battle of Brazilian jiu-jitsu vs. sambo

Two worlds collide when Kade Ruotolo and Uali Kurzhev square off inside the Circle at ONE on Prime Video 3. It is an intriguing match-up between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sambo.

Already establishing himself as one of the best BJJ practitioners in the world, Kade Ruotolo will put his skills to the test against a two-time International Judo Federation gold medalist and a national champion in Sambo, a Russian martial art with Soviet origins that focuses on grappling and wrestling but has multiple variations that also allow for full-contact striking.

Continuing to discuss her thoughts on the clash of styles, Danielle Kelly shared her prediction for the submission grappling championship on Friday night.

“It's an interesting matchup, sambo versus jiu-jitsu, and in the cage. I think it's a pretty cool matchup. I think Kade's going to beat them.”

When it comes to each unique style, there's a quest for answers. An unquenchable thirst to know which martial art will prevail. In just a few days' time, that question will see a new answer as BJJ and Sambo collide once again on ONE Championship's global stage.