Tye Ruotolo has a new date for his upcoming ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title defense.
The American grappling superstar will now put the 26-pound gold belt on the line in the ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video co-headliner at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 5 live in U.S. primetime. Ruotolo was originally slated to compete at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month.
The 21-year-old phenom is fresh from claiming the inaugural welterweight submission grappling crown with a dominant decision win over Russian standout Magomed Abdulkadirov this past November.
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After being unable to break down the diligent defenses of Abdulkadirov, Ruotolo threw down the gauntlet for his next opponent to match his ultra-aggressive grappling style.
“I guess I’m starting to create a big enough name to where people don’t want to attack me,” he said. “I need more opponents to come at me. So I hope my next person, my next opponent, they’re ready to fight.” Now, Ruotolo has gotten his wish.
Tye Ruotolo faces toughest test yet in latest world title defense
Tye Ruotolo will defend his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title against Izaak Michell at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. The Australian was Ruotolo’s mooted opponent for ONE 166 too.
Michell is a former Australian and Asia and Oceania ADCC Trials Champion and took out the award for best match at the prestigious ADCC World Championships in 2022.
The 25-year-old also has an IBJJF World Championship to his name as a brown belt. He enters his ONE debut as one of the most respected grapplers on the planet, and he’ll be hungry to make a statement on the biggest platform of all. Rutolo, for his part, has been virtually flawless in his ONE Championship run so far.
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The California native is unbeaten in his five appearances, including show-stopping submission wins over MMA standouts Garry Tonon and Marat Gafurov, as well as Dagestani BJJ Champion Dagi Arslaniev.
ONE Fight Night 21 is headlined by two-sport ONE Lightweight World Champion Regian Eersel’s latest title defense. The Surinamese superstar will put his lightweight kickboxing strap on the line against unbeaten Frenchman Alexis Nicolas. The full fight card is still to be announced.