Kade Ruotolo thought Mikey Musumeci super fight wouldn't materialize: "Didn't think it was going to happen"

ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo feared he would never get the chance to take on ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci under the bright lights of ONE Championship.

Speaking with Cageside Press, the Atos product shared his relief that he will get to defend his crown against 'Darth Rigatoni' at ONE 168: Denver inside the Ball Arena on September 6.

Ruotolo said:

"I was surprised when it happened, to be completely honest with you. I was surprised. I still didn't think it was going to happen. I just had a feeling... I don't know why... that it wouldn't happen."

Watch the full interview with Kade Ruotolo below:

The 21-year-old from San Diego, California, has been a megastar ever since he debuted under the ONE banner in 2022. He has won six straight submission grappling bouts, including three successful defenses of his throne.

Ruotolo translated his Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) expertise into a successful lightweight MMA debut this past June at ONE 167 by submitting Blake Cooper in the first round.

However, defending his submission grappling crown against Musumeci will be a different beast altogether as the Evolve MMA star has been preparing for their world title tilt with the help of BJJ legend Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles.

Kade Ruotolo is on the lookout for Mikey Musumeci's signature leglocks

Mikey Musumeci has shown he can finish his opponents in various ways, though Kade Ruotolo is ready to deal with his leglocks at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 inside the Ball Arena.

Speaking with ONE flyweight MMA world champion Demetrious Johnson on his MightyCast podcast, Ruotolo stated:

"He can leglock anyone in the world. Someone with those finishing mechanics, if he gets on your legs, he can finish anyone. So, it still excites me in a way. I'm ready for it. I'm excited."

Watch the full podcast below:

Tickets for ONE 168: Denver on September 6 inside the Ball Arena are available via Ticketmaster.