Kade Ruotolo shows respect to Leandro Lo after being dubbed as ‘jiu-jitsu fighters’: “That was special”
Game recognizes game, and Kade Ruotolo has become one of the examples of this well-known term.
Both Kade and his brother Tye have been dubbed as the two biggest stars in their generation, where their accomplishments speak for themselves. Moreover, it also gained attention and recognition from the late BJJ black belt Leandro Lo.
Prior to his sudden passing, Lo described Kade and Tye as jiu-jitsu fighters who are always on the attack and hunting for submission and not just an ordinary BJJ athlete who resort only to gaining points to win.
In a recent interview with Alex Wendling at Beasts with Brains Podcast, Kade returned the favor with a show of respect for the late BJJ legend.
He said:
"100 percent. That was special. In recent times, that was one of the words that really hit me. Obviously, after Leandro’s passing, it was one of the biggest shocks to the jiu-jitsu community. And personally, he was top three... if not the number one of my most-watched fighters."
He added:
"In a way, a lot of our styles are kinda replicated from him. He’s always moving, so exciting to watch, and always looking for the finish."
The ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion will defend his title against fellow superstar Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6.
Kade Ruotolo does not expect 'angry' Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168
As Kade Ruotolo heads into Denver for his ONE lightweight submission grappling world title defense against Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168, he is not expecting 'angry' Mikey to resurface there.
'Darth Rigatoni' showed his inner dark side at ONE 167 after avenging his last loss to Gabriel Sousa with a brutal version of calf slicer.
This was indeed distinct from Musumeci's warm and friendly personality, but Ruotolo told Sportskeeda MMA that it would not reappear in their match:
"I guarantee that more or less, you know [that Musumeci will tone it down]. I think Sousa, for sure, struck a nerve or something but yeah it's pretty much all respect on our end for sure."
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster.