WATCH: Lightweight submission grappling champ Kade Ruotolo shows off his striking chops ahead of ONE 167
Kade Ruotolo is more than a phenomenal Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist. The reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion showed why he's ready to make the transition to mixed martial arts when he showed off his vastly improved striking ahead of ONE 167.
In an Instagram video, Ruotolo showed off his striking chops on the feet and the ground while working with famed coach Tyler Wombles of Classic Fight Team.
Kade Ruotolo, despite training BJJ his entire life, showed off some brilliant and technical punches while working the pads with Wombles. He even displayed glimpses of ground and pound in the short highlight reel.
While some natural grapplers may take time to develop their striking, the way Ruotolo threw his combinations made it look like he's been training boxing and Muay Thai for a decade.
Ruotolo threw pure lightning with his flurries and even used his elbows to block and transition into another combination.
Still, the padwork was still done in a controlled environment and Ruotolo's big test still awaits him in Bangkok.
Ruotolo will face American standout Blake Cooper at ONE 167 in a lightweight MMA contest on June 7 at Impact Arena.
The entire ONE 167 card is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Kade Ruotolo looks to knock Blake Cooper out in MMA debut
Kade Ruotolo can always rely on his deadly BJJ if he wants to emerge victorious in his MMA debut, but the 21-year-old isn't keen on relying too much on his natural base.
In an interview with Karyn Bryant, Ruotolo said he'd prefer to use his striking and knock Blake Cooper out at ONE 167.
He said:
"Obviously, my forte, my strong suit is jiu-jitsu. So, obviously, the plan is to go in there and submit him without a doubt. I think that kind of goes without saying. But I would love to try to drop my opponent, and maybe even sleep them, you know. I would love it."