'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kade Ruotolo plans to "shift his focus" toward MMA in 2025.
On June 7, Ruotolo temporarily left his ONE lightweight submission grappling world title to make his highly anticipated professional MMA debut. The 21-year-old phenom exceeded his massive expectations by securing a first-round submission against Blake Cooper at ONE 167.
Later this week, Nov. 8, Ruotolo returns to the lightweight MMA division against Ahmed Mujtaba, who has scored four wins under the ONE banner.
Ruotolo appeared in an interview with MMA Junkie to discuss his balance between professional MMA and submission grappling. The American superstar had this to say about prioritizing his dream to become an elite martial artist:
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"This next year, I'm kind of shifting my focus a lot more towards MMA. That's been one of my main goals. I still want to continue to defend my grappling title. I still want to be at the top in jiu-jitsu. But I also want to be at the top in MMA and there's only one way to do that."
ONE 169 will showcase three world title fights inside the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Friday's event can be seen live and for free by North American viewers with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Watch Kade Ruotolo's entire interview with MMA Junkie below:
Kade Ruotolo's path to ONE Championship MMA gold
At 21 years old, Kade Ruotolo has plenty of time to evolve in MMA before facing a top contender. The American superstar plans to slow things down and ensure he doesn't rush his path to greatness, but his star power could push him to a big-time matchup in the near future.
Firstly, Ruotolo can't overlook Ahmed Mujtaba, who plans to make a statement at ONE 169. If Ruotolo emerges victorious, he could potentially fight three or four times in 2025, depending on if he can avoid damage.
Mujtaba is a respectable opponent in the ONE lightweight division. Therefore, an impressive performance by Ruotolo could put him in a conversation for a top-five opponent in the first half of 2025. It's not impossible for the submission grappling king to secure two or three wins before a title shot at the end of next year.
