Tye Ruotolo wanted a big challenge for the first defense of his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title, and at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video, he’ll get just that.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
This Friday in U.S. primetime, the 21-year-old prodigy will put his gold on the line against the ultra-talented Australian standout Izaak Michell at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. It’s a matchup that Ruotolo has been calling for ever since his August 2023 victory over Dagi Arslanaliev at ONE Fight Night 13.
Tye Ruotolo has really been waiting
Since then, the young Californian defeated Magomed Abdulkadirov to claim the inaugural welterweight submission grappling crown and set himself up for this much-anticipated showdown with Michell – a man widely regarded as the second-best welterweight ground fighter on the planet.
The fact that Michell is so highly regarded is precisely why Ruotolo likes him as an opponent. As the titleholder explained, he’s on a mission to take out the world’s best submission grapplers one-by-one: “I’ve been asking for Izaak for a little bit now. I’ve seen the success he’s been having in the jiu-jitsu world. He’s been beating a lot of good guys. He’s respected.”
“A lot of people are trying to say he has the best wrestling in jiu-jitsu. I just think he’s a very tough opponent. In my division, I want to beat all the best guys to the point where there’s no stones left unturned.”
Ruotolo knows he’s in for a stiff test on April 5. His opponent is a physically imposing athlete known for his explosive takedowns, dangerous leg locks, and elite back-taking skills. With that in mind, the American plans to beat Michell at his own game.
A game plan in motion
Tye Ruotolo hopes to win by taking the top position, controlling the action, and finding the submission finish. Loaded with confidence and ready to for an all-out war in Bangkok, Ruotolo added: “I think I’m gonna get on his back and choke him or guillotine.”
“I don’t really know how I’m gonna submit him. I just have faith that I’m gonna submit him . . . Whichever way it happens, I’ll take. I just want to put him on his back. I know I’m gonna put him on his back first and sub him from there.”