ONE 167 results: Kade Ruotolo vs. Blake Cooper

After dominating the world of BJJ, reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo strapped on the four-ounce gloves at ONE 167, making his highly anticipated mixed martial arts debut inside the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok.

Meeting in the center of the Circle was American MMA standout Blake Cooper, a relative newcomer looking to carry on the legacy of his famous fighting family.

Round 1: Things start relatively slow between the two, with both fighters sizing up one another. Ruotolo moves in, looking to land a flying knee before backing up. Ruotolo moves in once again, looking to clinch up. Cooper escapes his grip and Ruotolo fires a high kick on the exit. Cooper takes control of the center of the Circle and Ruotolo lands a thudding body kick.

Near the halfway point of the round, Ruotolo rushes in, pushing Cooper against the fence and getting dragged down to the mat. Taking Cooper's back, Ruotolo gets both hooks in and cinches in a rear-naked choke, forcing Cooper to tap out just past the three-minute mark of the opening round.

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ONE 167 - Kade Ruotolo vs. Blake Cooper official result

Though Ruotolo's standup game was understandably green, he mixed up his striking and grappling beautifully and ultimately got the job done where he was most comfortable. Ruotolo is officially 1-0 in MMA and 7-0 overall under the ONE Championship banner.

Ruotolo received another $50,000 bonus from ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his performance.

Cooper is now 0-2 in ONE, having been finished in the first round in both appearances.

Kade Ruotolo defeated Blake Cooper via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:20 of round one. (MMA - lightweight)

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