“He's very invested in MMA” - Dante Leon questions if Kade Ruotolo’s focus remains on defending submission grappling crown 

Dante Leon is curious if Kade Ruotolo can continue balancing his duties as lightweight submission grappling world champion alongside his burgeoning mixed martial arts career.

The 21-year-old grappling prodigy made a triumphant transition to MMA last year, going 2-0 in matches against Blake Cooper and Ahmed Mujtaba.

While the Atos standout vowed to continue defending his place atop the 170-pound submission grappling ranks, Ruotolo also claimed he'll go all-in on MMA in 2025.

This puts Dante Leon in an awkward position, considering he wants to vie for a ONE world title soon. Speaking to Nick Atkin of the Bangkok Post, the Canadian question if Ruotolo will be able to juggle multiple hats at the highest levels of two sports:

"Kade is a guy who's, walking at the 170 range, about what I am. But with Kade, like I said, he's very invested in MMA, very invested in grappling, or not as invested in grappling anymore, as he is in MMA. So it all depends on where the cards fall."

Dante Leon has won his first two matches under the ONE umbrella in quick succession, with his latest victory coming against former lightweight submission grappling world title challenger Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 27.

The full replay of ONE Fight Night 27 is available free on demand for Prime Video subscribers in North America.

Watch the full interview:

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Dante Leon not ruling out challenging welterweight submission grappling kingpin Tye Ruotolo

If Kade Ruotolo remains preoccupied with his MMA career, Dante Leon won't wait around.

In his ONE Fight Night 27 post-event interview, the Pedigo Submission Fighting affiliate said he wouldn't mind going up to 185 pounds to challenge Kade's twin brother Tye, who lords over the welterweight submission grappling division:

"I have a chance of beating Kade. In the public eye and for the fans of ONE. I'm sure I'll be an underdog, but in my opinion, and to those who know, I think I'm far from an underdog and be their match with either of the brothers."

It is worth noting that Leon has a history with Tye, since they went 1-1 in their head-to-head matchups outside the promotion. It's only fitting for a trilogy of this caliber to be contested at the grand stage with 26 pounds of gold on the line.