Kade Ruotolo, From BJJ Phenom to MMA Prospect

Kade Ruotolo, the 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) sensation, is about to embark on a thrilling new chapter in his combat sports journey. Having conquered the grappling world, he now sets his sights on the unforgiving realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). As he prepares for his highly anticipated debut at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga, fans and fellow fighters alike eagerly await the clash of styles and the emergence of a new force in the cage.

Kade Ruotolo The BJJ Prodigy

Early Beginnings: Born in Maui, Hawaii, Kade Ruotolo and his twin brother, Tye, were destined for greatness. They began their grappling journey at the tender age of 3, training at the renowned Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) academy under the guidance of Guilherme and Rafael Mendes.

Black Belt Glory: Promoted to black belt in December 2021 by the legendary André Galvão, Kade wasted no time making waves. At just 19 years old, he secured the ADCC World Championship title in the 77kg division, etching his name in history as the youngest-ever ADCC Submission Fighting World champion.

BJJ phenom Kade Ruotolo eagerly anticipates an exciting journey as he prepares to make his highly anticipated move to the world of MMA. 👊#ONE167 #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/grUmLpMkql
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) April 17, 2024

ONE Championship Signing: In March 2021, Kade and Tye signed contracts with ONE Championship, not only for submission grappling but also with provisions for their eventual MMA debuts. The transition from the mats to the cage was inevitable.

ONE 157 Debut: Kade’s first taste of MMA action came at ONE 157, where he faced the seasoned Japanese veteran Shinya Aoki. In a unanimous decision victory, Kade showcased his adaptability and resilience, leaving fans hungry for more.

The Upcoming Battle

Blake Cooper: On June 7, 2024, Kade steps into the cage against Hawaii’s own Blake Cooper. Cooper, a hard-hitting veteran with three professional MMA fights under his belt, won’t be an easy opponent. Known for heavy hands and solid wrestling, he promises to test Kade’s mettle.

The Excitement: Kade’s excitement is palpable: “I’m super fired up. It’s been a long time coming. I have a tough opponent in Blake Cooper ahead of me. The entire Cooper family are legends. Heavy hands and good wrestling. It will be an amazing matchup.”

Pound-for-Pound Grappler: Even with 4-ounce gloves, Kade remains one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound submission grapplers. But he won’t abandon his BJJ roots; instead, he’ll blend them seamlessly into his MMA arsenal.