Get to know Matheus Gabriel: The BJJ star who challenges Kade Ruotolo at ONE on Prime Video 5

Following his historic win over Uali Kurzhev at ONE on Prime Video 3, submission grappling wizard Kade Ruotolo will make a quick turnaround, defending his ONE lightweight submission grappling world championship against newcomer Matheus Gabriel.

An IBJJF world champion, Gabriel steps into the circle for the very first time with 48 career victories to his credit. He’ll now attempt to get the biggest one yet against the fast-rising submission sensation Kade Ruotolo.

Ahead of the massive grappling showdown at ONE on Prime Video 5 this Friday night, Matheus Gabriel sat down with ONE Championship to share some of his background with fans who may be unfamiliar with his story. He said:

“I was born in Manaus, in the Amazon [Northern Brazil]. My childhood was very good. My parents were already separated, so practically my grandmother raised me. I lived with my father for a while, then with my mother, but it was my grandmother who raised me since I was little.”

Gabriel continued by saying:

“It was from her that I learned what is right and what is wrong in life. I have an older sister, but she doesn't practice jiu-jitsu. My grandmother also raised her. She is very attached to her grandchildren. Today, she raises my cousin, who is my aunt's son. She loves the grandchildren.”

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Shinya Aoki has nothing, but praise for Kade Ruotolo

When Kade Ruotolo made his ONE Championship debut at ONE 157, he delivered a memorable performance against Asian MMA legend Shinya Aoki. Showing a wide array of inventive offenses, Ruotolo scored a unanimous decision victory in his first outing against one of the most recognizable martial artists in the world.

Shinya Aoki praised Ruotolo’s performance in an interview with ONE Championship, saying:

"Kade Ruotolo is a fantastic athlete and a very good grappler. He was surprisingly fast and explosive. Actually, many times, I couldn’t understand what he’s doing."

Following his win over Aoki, Ruotolo went on to make history by becoming the youngest ADCC World Champion at just 19 years old. A month later, he added another accolade when he captured the inaugural ONE lightweight submission grappling world championship by submitting sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev.

Next, Ruotolo will attempt to make his first successful defense of the ONE world title against another BJJ world champion, Matheus Gabriel.