“I’m feeling pretty good” - Jozef Chen all geared up for baptism of fire vs Tye Ruotolo

19-year-old BJJ phenom Jozen Chen is feeling pretty good ahead of the biggest match of his career.

After making a name for himself by topping the podium at multiple IBJJF and ADCC events over the last couple of years, Chen will make his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut this Friday night, July 5 at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video.

Emanating from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Chen will put his skills to the ultimate test when he tussles with reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion Tye Ruotolo in a can't-miss catchweight clash.

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Speaking with Sportskeeda MMA before his big debut on martial arts' biggest global stage, Chen offered some insight into how he's feeling after making the long trip from South Africa to Bangkok.

"I’m feeling pretty good," Chen said. "Just got over most of the jet lag at this point. So feeling pretty good. Got a bit of training in this morning. So yeah, not too bad. Feeling good as I get into this."

Tye Ruotolo looks to keep his 'O' intact against the young and hungry Jozef Chen

Hopefully, any lingering effects from the jet lag will be out of Jozef Chen's system come fight night because the budding teenage superstar will need all the help he can get as he faces one of ONE Championship's most formidable foes.

Returning to the Circle for the second time in 2024, Ruotolo will look to keep his 'O' intact by bagging his sixth-straight win in ONE. His most recent W came at ONE Fight Night 21 in April when he secured a submission victory over Izaak Michell.

Before that, Ruotolo dispatched a slew of big-name opponents, including Garry Tonon, Marat Gafurov, Reinier de Ridder, and Dagi Arslanaliev.

Will Ruotolo go 7-0, or will Chen hand the Atos BJJ product his first loss inside the Circle and set the stage for his ascent into stardom?

ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 23 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5.