“I'm a very ambitious person” - Kade Ruotolo admits he would jump at the chance for world title shot against Christian Lee

Reigning and undisputed ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion turned mixed martial artist Kade Ruotolo of the United States knows he just starting out in his MMA career, but already, the 21-year-old has ONE Championship gold on his mind.

Ruotolo is fresh off a scintillating first-round submission finish over Pakistan's 'Wolverine' Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video last weekend.

The Atos jiu-jitsu product dropped Mujtaba with a hellacious overhand right before securing his signature D'Arce choke to force the tap on the mats.

Addressing the media at the official ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video post-event press conference backstage, Ruotolo was asked if he would be down to fight reigning ONE lightweight MMA world champion Christian Lee if that bout was offered to him.

The California native replied:

"I'm a very ambitious person, so I like the sound of it, for sure. That being said, it's only my second MMA fight, right? So, you know, go straight to the belt, there's a massive opportunity. You know, obviously it's a big step up as well. But you know, personally, I'm down. But I know my coaches, my team, and everyone around me, is going to be saying do it smart, get the experience. That's the top of the mountain in MMA, right? So might as well enjoy it as well."

Kade Ruotolo versus Christian Lee? Sounds like a pretty entertaining matchup indeed.

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Kade Ruotolo's philosophy on MMA career: "Shoot for the moon and maybe you land on a star"

21-year-old BJJ icon Kade Ruotolo is willing to take the biggest risks in his MMA career, even if it would appear unwise to do so. Which is why he would jump at the chance to face divisional king Christian Lee.

Ruotolo told veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani about his mindset as an MMA fighter in a recent interview:

"It was something that at the beginning of this year, I never really even thought about. I feel like the way I've always operated is I always - it sounds cringy or whatever - but like in a sense, shoot for the moon and maybe you land on a star. Every single one of my goals are as high as possible."

ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video too place live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, November 9. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.