Kade Ruotolo says cardio tank varies from one activity to another: “It’s crazy how every sport has its own cardio”

Two-sport superstar Kade Ruotolo was surprised to learn that BJJ and mixed martial arts require two very different types of cardio. Making his promotional debut in May 2022, Ruotolo immediately made a name for himself with wins over Shinya Aoki, Ualiz Kurzhev, Tommy Langaker, and Francisco Lo.

Along the way, he claimed the ONE lightweight submission grappling world championship, but dominating one sport simply wasn't enough.

In June, Ruotolo strapped on the four-ounce gloves for his anticipated mixed martial arts debut against American standout Blake Cooper.

Ruotolo won the bout via a first-round rear-naked choke, keeping his 'O' intact and setting the stage for what could be an iconic MMA career.

Looking back on the bout during an appearance on MightyCast with Demetrious Johnson, Kade Ruotolo detailed the difference between training for a jiu-jitsu match compared to an MMA bout.

"It's crazy how every sport has its own cardio, its own muscles that it uses," Ruotolo said. "Even Gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu are completely different. Like the forearms and grip strength, everything. I've taken World Champions in jiu-jitsu, and have taken them surfing, and within 15 minutes, they're done."

He added:

"They can't even continue. Their arms are just, like [shot]. I'm like, ‘Really?' We just started two hours into the session, right? I forget though, you know, it's different muscles being used. Every sport has different muscles that get accustomed to those patterns, right?"

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Kade Ruotolo meets Mikey Musumeci at stacked ONE 168: Denver event on Sept. 6

On Friday, Sept. 6, Ruotolo will return to the mat for one of the most anticipated matchups in BJJ history.

Reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci moves up three weight classes to challenge Ruotolo for his lightweight grappling crown in a bid to be the sport's first-ever two-division ONE world champion.

Musumeci, like Ruotolo, enters the contest with a perfect 7-0 record, including victories against Masakazu Imanari, Shinya Aoki, interim ONE strawweight MMA world champion Jarred Brooks, 126-win veteran Gabriel Sousa.

Their bout will feature as part of an absolutely loaded ONE 168: Denver when ONE Championship heads back to the United States for the first time since delivering a critically acclaimed ONE Fight Night 10 card in May 2023.

Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 at Ball Arena.