Kade Ruotolo Discusses Using Same Submission as Brother at ONE on Prime Video 21

Kade Ruotolo with an arm-in RNC (?). He wasn't even sure what to call it. His move to MMA can't come soon enough (scheduled for June 7th at ONE 167). #ONEFightNight21 pic.twitter.com/0vtbYXr9vl

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 6, 2024

Kade Ruotolo revealed that the unique “Ruotolotine” submission that both he and twin brother Tye pulled off at One on Prime Video 21 was always on the table for them.

The ONE lightweight submission grappling champion took on Francisco Lo in a 180-pound catchweight clash on April 5. Ruotolo finished Lo with an arm-in rear naked choke, which he labeled the “Ruotolotine,” breaking the curse of going without a finish every time he shared a card with his brother. His brother Tye went on to defend his ONE welterweight submission grappling title against Izaak Michell later in the night with the same submission.

Kade revealed that once he pulled off the “Ruotolotine,” he also floated the idea to Tye, who had actually taught him the move.

“That was definitely not the plan,” Kade said at the post-fight press conference. “After I got that submission against Francisco Lo, I told Tye in the back locker room that I wouldn’t be surprised if he won via the same submission. He’s really good at it. He’s the one that taught me the submission, and I just put it out there, I wasn’t 100% sure if it would happen, but he ended up doing it so it kind of blew my mind as well.”

Tye Ruotolo taps Izaak Michell with a RNC and successfully defends his ONE Submission Grappling Welterweight Championship 🏆

Tye and his brother Kade both got RNC submission victories tonight 🔥

#ONEFightNight21pic.twitter.com/UBvAWQzmC5

— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) April 6, 2024

Ruotolo is currently gearing up for his MMA debut at One Championship 167 on June 7 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok. Ruotolo will meet Blake Cooper, the younger brother of PFL veteran Ray Cooper, in a lightweight bout. While Ruotolo admits that his striking still needs brushing up, the Hawaiian also notes that he isn’t gun shy, having grown up scrapping with his twin.

“The first week of June, it’s on,” Ruotolo said. “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. In about a month from now, I’ll be back out here in Thailand.

“I’m no Mike Tyson or a Superlek. I’m not quite there yet, but every day I’m getting better and polishing my hands. The main thing is that I’m comfortable striking. I’m not too scared of punches which is usually the biggest barrier to overcome. My brother and I grew up scrapping our whole lives, so the fear button isn’t really there when it comes to striking. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I’ve been finding more success and learning every day so I’m confident.”