ONE lightweight submission grappling king Kade Ruotolo "extremely happy" with how is MMA career is shaping up
Brazilian jiu-jitsu star Kade Ruotolo doubled up his MMA tally at ONE 169, and he's pleased to be on a steady path of improvement in the discipline.
The ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion put on a brilliant all-around display before submitting Pakistani representative Ahmed Mujtaba with a D'Arce choke inside the Lumpinee Stadium last Friday.
While it was another routine finish for the 21-year-old, his fluidity in the striking department, smashing overhand right, and ability to blast 'Wolverine' with a series of ground-and-pound proved to be the key that set himself up for yet another US$50,000 performance bonus display.
Speaking at the official post-fight press conference, the Atos representative had this to say on his progress and how things are looking like in his career:
"I'm extremely happy with the progression and the future that we're going in."
Before this win, Kade debuted in the all-encompassing discipline with a first-round rear-naked choke win over Hawaiian-based Blake Cooper.
Watch the official ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' Press Conference here:
Kade Ruotolo willing to face anyone in the lightweight MMA division
With a mission to scale all the way to the summit of the lightweight MMA division, Kade Ruotolo knows he'll be up against some serious challengers.
Still, it isn't something that scares him. Speaking to circle-side color commentator Mitch Chilson shortly after he got his hand raised, the 21-year-old said he's willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone to inch closer to the ONE lightweight MMA world title currently in the hands of two-division kingpin Christian Lee.
He said:
"To be honest, no one really in particular. Really, whoever you guys think is a great matchup and an exciting one, I'm down for it."
ONE 169 is available via replay on Amazon Prime Video for fans in the United States and Canada.