After years spent dominating the world of professional jiu-jitsu, Tye Ruotolo is finally scheduled to take his formidable grappling skills into the cage. The multiple-time grappling champion is set to make his highly anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut, and it appears ONE Championship is wasted no time in providing a compelling first test.
Ruotolo is slated to face the young, undefeated prospect Adrian Lee at ONE Fight Night 35. The event is scheduled to take place on September 5th at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. This booking marks a significant step for Ruotolo, who, alongside his brother Kade, signed with ONE Championship with the intention of competing in both grappling and MMA. Kade Ruotolo has already made a successful transition, currently holding a perfect 3-0 record in MMA.
Tye Ruotolo arrives in MMA with an already decorated resume on the grappling mats. He has faced and defeated numerous high-level competitors across various organizations, showcasing a dynamic and aggressive submission style. His transition has been eagerly awaited by fans who are curious to see how his specialized skill set translates when strikes and cage control become factors.
Standing opposite Ruotolo will be Adrian Lee, who at just 19 years old, has quickly made a name for himself. Lee boasts an unblemished 3-0 professional record, with every single one of his victories coming by way of submission. Adding to the intrigue, Adrian is the younger brother of former ONE Championship titleholders Christian and Angela Lee, part of arguably the most famous fighting family under the ONE banner.
This pairing presents a fascinating stylistic clash and, perhaps, a touch of irony. A world-renowned jiu-jitsu champion making his debut against a young, undefeated fighter who also happens to be a submission specialist with a 100% finishing rate on the ground? It suggests ONE Championship isn`t interested in a soft opening for Ruotolo`s MMA career. This fight will immediately test Tye`s ability to integrate striking defense and offense with his elite ground game against a dangerous opponent who is comfortable operating exactly where Ruotolo is expected to excel.
The stage is set for a captivating debut. Fans will be watching closely to see if Tye Ruotolo`s grappling royalty can overcome the challenge posed by Adrian Lee, a rising star with a famous name and a proven ability to finish fights on the canvas.
