“I'm feeling a lot more comfortable” - Grappling champ Kade Ruotolo gives update on his striking progress ahead of MMA debut
Kade Ruotolo is feeling pretty good about his standup game ahead of his highly anticipated mixed martial arts debut.
On Friday, June 7, the reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion will strap on the four-ounce gloves as he's set to square off with American MMA standout Blake Cooper at ONE 167, airing live on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada.
It will be Ruotolo's first time competing in MMA after establishing himself as one of BJJ's biggest stars.
Speaking with Karyn Bryant head of his first foray into the sport, Ruotolo revealed that he has been working on his striking skills every day in the months leading up to ONE 167 and is feeling quite comfortable with his progress.
"I've been training a lot, so much, every single day on my striking," Ruotolo said. "I’ve been sparring a lot too. I'm feeling super comfortable in the sparring rooms and you know offensively and defensively, everywhere in striking. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable."
Tye Ruotolo excited to see what twin brother Kade Ruotolo can do in MMA
Kickstarting his ONE Championship run in 2022, Kade Ruoto impressed fight fans around the world when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Japanese MMA icon Shinya Aoki at ONE 156. Since then, he's added five more victories to his resume under the ONE banner and snagged himself an ADCC world title.
Kade Ruotolo's twin brother — fellow ONE world champion Tye Ruotolo — has been helping his brother throughout the transition from BJJ to MMA and is excited to see his Atos Jiu-Jitsu teammate finally throw hands at ONE 167.
"No matter what, we'll always be in each other's corners," Tye Ruotolo said in an interview with Sportskeeda. "I'm excited to see him throw punches this time around."
Will Kade Ruotolo's long-awaited move to MMA prove successful, or will Blake Cooper spoil the party and score his first victory on martial arts' biggest global stage?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.