“Mikey is a little bit mental” - Kade Ruotolo wonders how Mikey Musumeci will adjust once he penetrates his guard
Kade Ruotolo knows that his next opponent, ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci, is not someone he can thread lightly.
The Californian grappling wizard is set to defend his ONE lightweight submission grappling world title in the co-main event of ONE 168: Denver, where he and Musumeci will face off inside the Ball Arena on Sept. 6.
Speaking ahead of this epic bout, Ruotolo elaborated on how he would try to slice through his opponent's guard game and make a surprising move to break Musumeci's mental fortitude.
This seems possible as Ruotolo is revered for setting a relentless pace, where he often breaks his rivals and steals their will to fight.
He told ONE Championship:
“I think Mikey is a little bit mental in a sense where if I do get past his guard, I don’t think he’s mentally sharp enough to replace [guard], push through, and then create attacks."
Nonetheless, Ruotolo also added:
“But I could be completely wrong, too. You know, it’s definitely very possible, and I think it also depends on how much energy he still has at that moment when I do pass.”
This matchup is a must-watch showcase between Kade Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci at the peak, which will produce an action-filled battle.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are still available via Ticketmaster.
Kade Ruotolo wants to put on a show with Mikey Musumeci in Denver
Kade Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci are known as the two most revered grapplers in this new generation, with their hunt for the biggest challenges ever and their status as clean athletes.
This is the exact reason why Ruotolo wants to give an entertaining match to create a friendlier experience for the viewers and boost the audience's numbers.
All of that will come true at ONE 168: Denver, where the two superstars clash for the ONE lightweight submission grappling world title on September 6. As such, it is a certainty that Kade won't be satisfied if the contest doesn't live up to the hype.