Kade Ruotolo says Mikey Musumeci is too focused on one strategy at a time: “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work”
ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo believes Mikey Musumeci's "restricted" approach to fighting would work to his advantage in their scheduled all-champion title clash next month in the United States
The 21-year-old Atos standout will defend his world lightweight title against his flyweight counterpart Musumeci at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6. It will be the co-headlining match at the event happening at the Ball Arena and airing live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Speaking to ONE Championship in an interview, in connection with his title defense at ONE 168, Kade Ruotolo shared his take on Musumeci, highlighting how his opponent's tendency to focus on one strategy during matches would not work against him.
He said:
"If I'm hand-fighting someone and it's not really going my way or whatever -- if I'm trying to wrestle and I can't -- I'm gonna pull guard. I'm gonna get on their legs. I'm gonna do anything in my power to find their weakness and execute that window.
"I don't think Mikey is quite prepared to go that route. I think he'll try his same strategy for 10 minutes straight. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
ONE 168 will mark the fourth defense of Kade Ruotolo of the lightweight submission grappling world title he won in October 2022. His last successful title defense was back in January over familiar foe Tommy Langaker of Norway by unanimous decision in their title rematch.
Looking to end Ruotolo's reign as champion is Musumeci, who is climbing three weight divisions higher to see his double ONE world champion aspirations realized.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.
Kade Ruotolo sees a submission finish in his favor at ONE 168
Kade Ruotolo is going for a submission finish against Mikey Musumeci in their title clash at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 and expects to succeed in it.
The reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion shared this in an in-ring interview following his triumphant MMA debut back in June, saying:
"Yeah, that's wild! I know a lot of people are psyched up for that, for sure. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't think I'd get the submission. To be a hundred percent honest, I think I'm gonna get the sub in that one."
Kade Ruotolo claimed the inaugural ONE lightweight submission grappling world title in October 2022 with a submission victory over Russian Uali Kurzhev. He has successfully defended the championship belt three times since and he is out to maintain the status quo in the division with him on top at ONE 168: Denver.