The Inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion
In an electrifying showdown at ONE Fight Night 16: Haggerty vs. Andrade, Tye Ruotolo etched his name into the annals of sports history as the first-ever ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion. On Friday, November 3, this American prodigy showcased his remarkable skills in a dominant unanimous decision victory over the formidable Magomed Abdulkadirov. The stage for this historic clash was none other than the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and the world watched in awe as Ruotolo made history.
The bout kicked off with a tense stand-up exchange, as both fighters engaged in hand-fighting, probing for an advantage. Ruotolo, the 20-year-old Californian, exhibited his strategic prowess by transitioning into a closed guard position, swiftly launching an assault from his back. Abdulkadirov, recognizing the threat, displayed a robust defensive game, denying Ruotolo’s early advances.
However, the American soon saw an opening and capitalized on it, expertly entering into a leg entanglement, setting the stage for a thrilling leg lock pursuit. Ruotolo’s relentless determination and profound technical acumen were on full display, as he attempted to secure the leg lock. As Abdulkadirov found himself in a precarious position, Ruotolo seized the opportunity to claim the top position.
Ruotolo’s performance on the mat was nothing short of artistry, as he exhibited masterful guard passing techniques, eventually landing in the coveted mount position halfway through the match. With impeccable timing and precision, he transitioned into an arm-in guillotine choke, a move that would see him claim his first catch of the night. But Ruotolo wasn’t finished yet; he seamlessly shifted into a deep D’Arce choke attempt, pushing his Russian adversary to the edge of defeat.
Abdulkadirov’s resilience was on full display as he gallantly defended against Ruotolo’s submission attempts, weathering the relentless onslaught, and surviving the bout. Even as the fight concluded with a last-second armbar, which appeared to be fully locked in, Abdulkadirov found a way to endure until the final bell, showcasing his own indomitable spirit.
After a thrilling 10 minutes of high-paced action, Tye Ruotolo was awarded the unanimous decision victory, leaving no doubt about his dominance on the mat. This historic win not only improved his career record to an impressive 26-9 but also earned him a well-deserved US$50,000 performance bonus. Most significantly, he achieved what every athlete dreams of – capturing the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Tye Ruotolo’s victory cements his status as one of the best pound-for-pound submission grapplers on the planet today, and his remarkable journey to the top of the submission grappling world continues to captivate fans worldwide. As the first-ever ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion, Ruotolo’s legacy is now etched in the history books, and his future in the world of martial arts looks brighter than ever
