Tye Ruotolo spurred on by challenge of grappling against bigger opponents

American submission grappling ace Tye Ruotolo is not one to shy away from challenges. It was the same reason he had when he agreed to accept his next match.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will be part of ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video on May 5 in Colorado, U.S.A. It will be the promotion’s first-ever live on-ground event in North America.

In the landmark United States show, lightweight Tye Ruotolo is pitted against the bigger Dutch fighter Reinier de Ridder in a middleweight submission grappling showdown.

Speaking to ONE Championship, the Atos standout shared that going up against bigger opponents gives him a different thrill and all the more brings the best out of him.

The California-based Tye Ruotolo said:

“I think all it comes down to is it’s a lot of excitement for me. I like the challenge [especially] when people think I can’t do [it]. I always work toward something that’s not impossible but really difficult. I feel like in my division, I don’t get that same excitement. I don’t feel like I’m challenged the same way that I am with these bigger guys. So that’s why I love fighting against all the big guys.”

Tye Ruotolo has won his first two matches since joining ONE Championship in May last year. Both wins came by way of submission inside the opening round.

Out to stop him is Reinier de Ridder, the reigning ONE middleweight world champion. ‘The Dutch Knight’ is seeking to bounce back after absorbing his first professional career loss back in December at the hands of ONE interim heavyweight world champion Anatoly Malykhin. The defeat saw him surrender the ONE light heavyweight world title.

The contest at ONE Fight Night 10 marks the return of De Ridder in submission grappling, having last fought in it at ONE X in March 2022 against legendary fighter Andre Galvao, Ruotolo’s mentor. The match ended in a draw.

ONE Fight Night 10 goes down at 1stBank Center in Colorado and will be aired live and for free to all North American fans with an active Prime Video subscription.