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Reigning and undisputed ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo of the United States is fresh off an electric MMA debut performance at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video last weekend.
Ruotolo took care of business and impressed with a rear-naked choke submission victory over Hawaiian star Blake Cooper in the first round.
ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II took place live before a sold-out crowd at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand last Saturday, June 8th.
After the fight, Ruotolo expressed his elatement with veteran ONE Championship broadcast analyst Mitch 'The Dragon' Chilson and proceeded to thank his coaches.
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The 21-year-old American phenom stated:
"I’m just so thankful for my coaches for ONE, definitely couldn’t have gotten the results today without my coaches. Tyler Wombles, Eric Paulson - both of them equally important, and obviously my brother as well. Also Professor Galvao back home. Just thankful."
Ruotolo no doubt looked impressive in his first foray into professional mixed martial arts. His striking was crisp, although it could have been cleaner. However, once action hit the ground, there was no stopping him.
There's likely no lightweight in the world who can hang with Ruotolo on the mats in this sport, so a new player has definitely entered the game.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand on Amazon Prime Video.
What's next for Kade Ruotolo?
Although he is already itching to get back in the cage for his second MMA fight, Kade Ruotolo will see himself back in the submission grappling realm this September, when he takes on ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion 'Darth Rigatoni' Mikey Musumeci.
Musumeci, who was also victorious at ONE 167 on Prime Video with a calf slicer submission over Gabriel Sousa, will be moving up to lightweight to face Ruotolo in a champion vs. champion superfight at ONE 168: Denver, which takes place at the Ball Arena on Friday, September 6th.
