Mikey Musumeci can’t wait to "make history" against Kade Ruotolo at ONE 168: Denver
Current ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci is excited about the opportunity to make history on Sept. 6.
Moving up three weight classes, 'Darth Rigatoni' will square off with reigning and defending ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo in the co-main event of ONE 168: Denver, emanating from Ball Arena in The Mile High City.
If Musumeci comes out on top, not only will he keep his 'O' intact under the ONE Championship banner, but he will also make promotional history by becoming ONE's first-ever two-division submission grappling king.
“But if I do it, amazing," Musucmeci said during a recent interview with ONE. "I make history. If I can’t, awesome. I get back up and I get better and I learn from it, and I go on to the next one.”
It will be the first-ever meeting between the two jiu-jitsu icons and the first time that two ONE submission grappling titleholders collide in a champion vs. champion super fight.
Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo's accomplishments precede them
Before making his ONE Championship debut in 2022, Mikey Musumeci made a name for himself on the mat at some of the biggest tournaments around the world. 'Darth Rigatoni' is a five-time IBJJF black belt world champion, topping the podium four times in Gi and one time in No-Gi competition.
Not to be outdone, Kade Ruotolo became the youngest competitor to win an ADCC world championship, running the table in 2022 when he was just 19 years old.
Earlier this month, Ruotolo took home the million-dollar prize in the Under 80kg division at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational in Las Vegas.
Who takes home the gold when two of the greatest grapplers in the world square off on martial arts' biggest global stage?
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 at Ball Arena.