Kade Ruotolo (born January 22, 2003) is an American submission grappler and black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete. A competitor with his twin brother Tye since the age of 3, Ruotolo is a IBJJF World champion, Pan Am and European Open champion at every coloured belt level. Promoted to black belt in December 2021, Ruotolo won the 2022 ADCC World Championship in the 77 kg division, becoming at age 19 the youngest-ever ADCC Submission Fighting World champion.[2] Ruotolo is signed to ONE Championship where he is the current lightweight submission grappling champion.[3]
Kade Ruotolo | |||||||||||||||
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Born | Maui, Hawaii, U.S. | January 22, 2003||||||||||||||
Residence | San Diego, California | ||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight | 76 kg (168 lb; 12 st 0 lb) | ||||||||||||||
Division | Featherweight | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 75 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Style | Submission Grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | ||||||||||||||
Team | Atos Jiu-Jitsu Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ) | ||||||||||||||
Trainer | André Galvão Guilherme and Rafael Mendes | ||||||||||||||
Rank | BJJ black belt (under André Galvão)[1] | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Notable relatives | Tye Ruotolo (twin brother) | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Early life
editBorn in Maui, Hawaii, of Italian and Puerto Rican heritage, Ruotolo was raised in Huntington Beach, California, and began competing in jiujitsu at age 3. Ruotolo and his twin brother Tye were considered "grappling's first child-stars".[4] They trained at the Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy (AOJ) for 4 years under Guilherme and Rafael Mendes before switching to Atos Jiu-Jitsu in 2017, a team to which AOJ was affiliated.[4] Both Kade and his brother Tye were promoted to brown belts in BJJ by André Galvão in October 2020.[5] Ruotolo and his brother were promoted to black belt on December 14, 2021, by André Galvão.[4]
Grappling career
edit2020–2021
editOn November 29, 2020, Ruotolo competed at the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Lightweight World Championships and defeated four grapplers in one night to claim the title.[6] His buggy choke submission finish of PJ Barch in the final match was awarded 'Submission of the Year' at the Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards.[7]
Ruotolo then won the 77 kg division of the ADCC North American East Coast Trials on November 6, 2021, to claim an invite to the 2022 ADCC World Championship.[8] He was later awarded with 'Submission of the Year' at the Jitsmagazine 2021 BJJ Awards for his flying d'arce choke finish of Joshua Dawson in the second round of the tournament.[9] In preparation for the event, Ruotolo competed against Roberto Jimenez at Road to ADCC on July 17, 2021, and was submitted with a rear-naked choke.[10] Across the weekend of September 25–26, Ruotolo competed at the Who's Number One Championships and defeated three opponents to become the promotion's inaugural Lightweight champion.[11] At Grapplefest 10 on November 10, 2021, Ruotolo defeated Keith Krikorian by decision[12]
On March 25, 2021, Ruotolo and his brother both signed a contract with ONE Championship to compete in submission grappling and eventually make their MMA debut.[13] In his debut match at ONE 157, Ruotolo fought Shinya Aoki and won a unanimous decision.[14]
2022–2023
editCompeting in the 77 kilograms (170 lb) division at the 2022 ADCC World Championship, an event commonly referred to as the "Olympics of grappling",[15] Ruotolo became the youngest competitor to win gold, winning all fights by submission and notably submitting Micael Galvão in the final, the first grappler to do so in competition.[16]
On October 21, 2022, Ruotolo faced multiple-time Sambo World Champion Uali Kurzhev for the inaugural ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship at ONE on Prime Video 3.[17] After Kurzhev failed hydration twice, a catchweight of 174 lbs was established, four pounds heavier than initially intended, making Kurzhev ineligible for the belt.[18] Ruotolo submitted Kurzhev with a heel hook at the 4:26 mark of the 10-minute bout to win the title and become the first-ever ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion.[19]
Ruotolo defended his title against Matheus Gabriel on December 3, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 5.[20] He won the match via unanimous decision.[21]
Ruotolo was booked to defend his ONE Championship lightweight title against Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 11 on June 9, 2023.[22] He won the match by decision and retained the title.[23]
2024 onwards
editRuotolo's next title-defense was booked for ONE 165 on January 28, 2024, where he would face Tommy Langaker in a rematch.[24] He defeated Langaker by decision and retained his title.[25]
Ruotolo made his black belt IBJJF debut in a superfight against Natan Chueng at the IBJJF No Gi Absolute Grand Prix on February 29, 2024.[26] He won the match on points.[27] Ruotolo then competed at the IBJJF Dallas Open 2024 on March 10, winning a gold medal at medium-heavyweight and a bronze medal in the absolute division.[28]
Ruotolo faced Francisco Lo in a catchweight bout at 180lbs at ONE Fight Night 21 on April 5, 2024.[29] He won the match by submission with an arm-in rear-naked choke.[30]
Ruotolo was originally scheduled to compete in the 2024 ADCC World Championship, but both he and his brother Tye left the tournament in order to enter the -80 kg division of the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational on August 16–17, 2024.[31] He submitted Matheus Diniz in the opening round, defeated Tommy Langaker by decision in the quarter-final, defeated Andrew Tackett by decision in the semi-final, and defeated Levi Jones Leary by decision in the final to win the grand prize of $1,000,000.[32]
Ruotolo is scheduled to defend his ONE lightweight submission grappling title against the organization's flyweight submission grappling titleholder, Mikey Musumeci, on September 6, 2024, at ONE 168: Denver.[33]
Mixed martial arts career
editRuotolo announced his intention to transition to mixed martial arts early in 2023,[34] and the contract he signed to compete in grappling matches for ONE Championship also included provisions for MMA fights as well.[35] Both Kade and his brother Tye announced that they were going to make their professional mixed martial arts debuts before the end of 2023.[36] Although this didn't come to fruition, Ruotolo later confirmed that his professional debut would be in 2024.[37]
Ruotolo made his professional MMA debut against Blake Cooper at ONE 167 on June 8, 2024.[38] He won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round and earned the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.[39]
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitive summary
editMain Achievements:[4]
- 2024 Craig Jones Invitational under 80 kg champion
- ONE Submission Grappling World Champion (ONE Fight Night 3) (One time; current)(3 Defense)
- ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion (2022)
- Who's Number One (WNO) Champion (2021)
- GrappleFest 70KG Belt Holder (2020)
- EBI Combat Jiu-Jitsu Champion (2020)[6]
- 3rd place 3QG Kumite 5 GP (2020)
Main Achievements (Kids + Juvenile[4]):
- IBJJF World Champion (2019)
- IBJJF Pan Champion (2019)
- IBJJF European Open Champion (2019[a])
- IBJJF Pan Kids Champion (2010 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018)
- IBJJF Kids International Champion (2014 / 2016)
- IBJJF Kids American Nationals Champion (2014 / 2015)
- 2nd place IBJJF European Open (2019)
- 3rd place IBJJF Pan Championship (2019[a])
Awards
editInstructor lineage
editMitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Helio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti → Alexandre Paiva → Fernando "Tererê" Augusto → André Galvão → Kade Ruotolo
Mixed martial arts record
edit1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Blake Cooper | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE 167 | June 8, 2024 | 1 | 3:20 | Bangkok, Thailand | Welterweight debut. Performance of the Night. |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Rogers, Kian (December 14, 2021). "Kade And Tye Ruotolo Promoted To BJJ Black Belt". Jitsmagazine.com.
- ^ ADCC 2022 Highlights: Old Champs Dethroned, New Champs Crowned – Gordon Ryan Submits André Galvão Andrea Tang, Jiujitsu Times, September 18, 2022
- ^ "Kade Ruotolo Wins ONE Championship Lightweight Title". October 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Kade Ruotolo". BJJ Heroes – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News. March 16, 2021.
- ^ "Ruotolo Brothers Both Promoted to Brown Belt". October 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Combat Jiu Jitsu Lightweight World Championships Full Results". November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards". January 2, 2021.
- ^ "ADCC North American East Coast Trials 2021 Full Results and Review". November 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Jitsmagazine 2021 BJJ Awards". January 2, 2022.
- ^ "The Road to ADCC Full Results and Review". July 18, 2021.
- ^ "WNO Championships Full Results and Review". September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Grapplefest 10 Full Results and Review". November 21, 2021.
- ^ "The Ruotolo Brothers Sign with ONE Championship for BJJ and MMA Debut". March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Ruotolo Brothers Win Big at ONE 157". May 20, 2022.
- ^ Coate, Ben (September 19, 2022). "Ruotolo Brothers Impress, Make History at 2022 ADCC World Championships; Canuto Beats Ryan". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts.
- ^ Ruotolo Brothers Impress, Make History at 2022 ADCC World Championships One FC, Ben Coate, September 20, 2022
- ^ Ben Coate (October 1, 2022). "Kade Ruotolo, Uali Kurzhev To Fight For Inaugural ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title". ONE Championship. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ "John Lineker misses weight for ONE on Prime Video 3". South China Morning Post. October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ Beaupré, Drew (October 22, 2022). "Watch: Kade Ruotolo Wins ONE Grappling Title With Heel Hook". MMA News.
- ^ Ben Coate (November 11, 2022). "Kade Ruotolo To Defend Submission Grappling World Title Against Matheus Gabriel at ONE on Prime Video 5". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Richards, Vince. "ONE on Prime Video 5 results: Kade Ruotolo vs Matheus Gabriel". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ de Souza, Diogo (April 24, 2023). "Kade Ruotolo Defends Title Against Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 11". JitsMagazine. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Kade Ruotolo And Tommy Langaker Put On Amazing Show at ONE Fight Night 11". Jitsmagazine. June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
- ^ Lindsey, Alex (January 4, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo and Tommy Langaker Rematch Booked For ONE 165". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "Kade Ruotolo Retains Lightweight Title in Tommy Langaker Rematch at ONE 165". Jitsmagazine. January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Burne, Kathrine (February 24, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo Set To Make Black Belt IBJJF Debut Against Natan Chueng". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "IBJJF No Gi Absolute Grand Prix 2024 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. March 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ "Top Gi Competitors Feature Heavily in IBJJF Dallas Open 2024 Results". Jitsmagazine. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Sabrina (March 15, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo To Meet Francisco Lo at ONE Fight Night 21". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ "Ruotolo Brothers Win With Same Rare Submission at ONE Fight Night 21". Jitsmagazine. April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ de Souza, Diogo (June 19, 2024). "Both Ruotolo Brothers Leave ADCC 2024 To Join Craig Jones Invitational". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Kade Ruotolo vs. Mikey Musumeci booked for ONE 168 in Denver – Grappling Insider". grapplinginsider.com. April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Phil (December 9, 2022). "Kade Ruotolo Lays Out Plans For MMA Career". JitsMagazine. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Lindsey, Alex (March 15, 2022). "The Ruotolo Brothers Sign With ONE Championship For BJJ And MMA Debut". JitsMagazine. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Phillips, Sabrina (May 2, 2023). "Ruotolo Brothers Announce Plans For MMA Debut in 2023". JitsMagazine. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Blackett, Todd (April 4, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo Reveals His MMA Debut Should Be Just Months Away". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ Burne, Kathrine (April 5, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo Set To Make MMA Debut at ONE 167". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ Admin (June 8, 2024). "Kade Ruotolo Dominates in MMA Debut at ONE 167". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved June 8, 2024.