Kade Ruotolo still abides by an old-school approach to fighting: “It's a crazy mindset”

Every time Kade Ruotolo steps onto the mat, he sees it as a do-or-die situation.

It’s an old-school mindset that has served the 20-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) specialist well throughout his still budding career. That mentality is what allowed him to become the youngest ADCC world champion of all time.

A month later, it made him a ONE world champion, capturing the inaugural lightweight submission grappling world title with a win submission win over four-time Sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev.

Speaking to ONE Championship about his success and the thought process he maintains going into each bout, Ruotolo said:

“So now you can either go out there and die or you can go out there and win. You know, each has to break it down. Super, super old school. And it's kind of like a crazy mindset."

Kade Ruotolo will once again put himself in a do-or-die situation at ONE Fight Night 11 on June 9 as he is set to defend his ONE world championship. Making his debut at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Ruotolo will defend his title against Norway’s Tommy Langaker.

Making his promotional debut in 2022, Tommy Langaker earned back-to-back victories over Renato Canuto and Uali Kurzhev, establishing himself as the next man in line for a crack at Kade Ruotolo’s 26 pounds of ONE gold. The Wulfing Academy product will enter the bout with an impressive 121 career wins and an undefeated record under the ONE Championship banner.

Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America can catch ONE Fight Night 11 live and for free in U.S. primetime on June 9.