Kade Ruotolo talks about his "chill" relationship with challenger Mikey Musumeci: "We've known each other over the years"

ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo has known Mikey Musumeci long before they become superstars in the home of martial arts. This pair of world-class grapplers have always been cordial whenever they run into each other in the highest levels of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu circuit.

On September 6 at ONE 168: Denver, Ruotolo and Musumeci will set that affinity aside as they share the circle in arguably the biggest grappling match of the year.

The youngest ADCC world champion will put his lightweight submission grappling crown on the line against the flyweight kingpin, who'll be going up three weight classes in a bid for two-division supremacy.

Speaking with the Cageside Press, Kade Ruotolo shared how he and 'Darth Rigatoni' go way back:

"We're chill. We've known each other over the years, you know? Just being in the same circuit, always seeing each other in competitions. We shared some of the same sponsors, and stuff like that."

While they share a mutual respect for one another, the 21-year-old said all gloves will be off once it's time to handle business at Ball Arena. He added:

"So we're obviously not best friends or anything like that, but we're definitely still in."

Watch Kade Ruotolo's full interview:

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Kade Ruotolo shares his motivation in Mikey Musumeci super fight

Kade Ruotolo hasn't been shy about admitting that a match against a smaller challenger isn't something that he's been actively seeking.

However, he also respects Musumeci's unbelievable run in the world's largest martial arts organization and his desire to conquer greater challenges.

For Ruotolo, this matchup with Musumeci is a chance to cross another milestone off his career bucket list.

The Atos superstar told Cageside Press:

"If it was MMA, [against a really good guy] it'll probably be a lot harder to take that matchup [like the Mikey Musumeci one]. I know I could do it for my inner-self."

Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster