Tye Ruotolo: "Slick matchup" - Fans split down the middle ahead of super fight between Tye Ruotolo and Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 31

"Slick matchup" - Fans split down the middle ahead of super fight between Tye Ruotolo and Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 31

By Nissi Icasiano

Modified Apr 10, 2025 08:49 GMT

Tye Ruotolo (left), Dante Leon (right) [Photo via ONE Championship] — Tye Ruotolo (left) and Dante Leon (right) [Photo via ONE Championship]

The prevailing sentiment on social media these days is that for the first time in his ONE Championship career, Tye Ruotolo may have finally found a worthy opponent in Dante Leon.

Ruotolo is slated to defend his ONE welterweight submission grappling world title against Leon in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 31, emanating live in U.S. primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 2.

When the world's largest martial arts organization shared a clip showcasing Leon's latest performances under its banner on Instagram, the majority of fans in the comment section expressed concerns that Ruotolo might face a tough challenge this time around.

Read the comments below:

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It's easy to understand why so many feel that way. Leon has quickly made an impact in the promotion with his first two outings.

For his maiden assignment in December 2024, the two-time IBJFF no-gi world champion made light work of Bruno Pucci, authoring a submission victory in just two minutes.

The Canadian standout reported for duty weeks later, earning a thrilling decision victory over former ONE lightweight submission grappling world title challenger Tommy Langaker.

These victories have just strengthened Leon's case for a shot at Ruotolo's 26 pounds of gold.

Dante Leon is no stranger to Tye Ruotolo

As Dante Leon gains momentum, Tye Ruotolo will undoubtedly leverage his familiarity with the Canadian grappler when the two square off at ONE Fight Night 31.

Both men first crossed paths in 2020 when Leon prevailed, walking away with a hard-fought decision victory over Ruotolo. A year later, Ruotolo exacted revenge by submitting Leon with a guillotine choke.

Now, Ruotolo has his sights on breaking the deadlock in his rubber match with Leon, which will air for free in the United States and Canada on Prime Video.

About the author

A sports journalist with over 10 years of experience, Nissi Icasiano has previously contributed to well-known platforms such as Rappler, Tiebreaker Times, International Business Times, ABS-CBN News, and currently, Sportskeeda. With a background in Legal Management, his attention to detail and thorough research shape his journalistic style.

Nissi specializes in MMA, particularly ONE Championship, and his love for the sport is evident in his in-depth coverage of its athletes and events. He has reported on major milestone events, including Demetrious Johnson’s final fight at ONE Championship's first U.S. event.

Nissi's hands-on experience in the sport of boxing enhances his understanding of combat sports. His dedication towards delivering informative and compelling content makes him a reliable source for MMA fans.

In his spare time, Nissi takes joy in spending time with his young daughter.

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Edited by Anurag Mitra