"We just listen to our bodies" - Kade Ruotolo on why training through injuries is counterproductive
ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo knows all too well that injuries are a part of combat sports. Martial artists, especially those fighting professionally, are often urged to simply toughen it up and train through minor aches, bumps, and bruises.
While overcoming pain is indeed great for developing mental fortitude, Ruotolo thinks there's a fine line between toughness and playing it smart. Despite training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for most of his life, the 21-year-old savant is admittedly blessed to have never experienced a major injury.
In an interview with fellow ONE world champion Demetrious Johnson, Ruotolo said it's because he and his twin Tye understand the importance of living to fight another day when it comes to dealing with injuries.
The Atos standout said on the MightyCast:
"We just listen to our bodies, honestly. That's our main thing. If we're really not feeling it, we take our rest. We're really big believers in rest. Other than that, it's just not overtraining."
The youngest ADCC world champion continued:
"When you're sore, when you're tired, or when you're feeling your injuries, sometimes training is counterproductive. We understand those moments and I think that's where we're good at, identifying when it would be an unproductive time or not. You got to listen."
Here's the MightyCast episode in its entirety:
Kade Ruotolo wants to become an MMA world champion
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Ruotolo made it clear that he has sights on conquering a second sport in ONE Championship.
The lightweight submission grappling world champion made a triumphant MMA debut at ONE 167 earlier this month, where he dispatched Blake Cooper with ease.
Ruotolo made it clear that it wasn't just some one-off fight, and wants to climb the lightweight MMA ladder and earn himself a title shot one day. He said:
"I want to become the best [at MMA]. I want to become the champion. In everything I do, I have this delusion where I want to become the best at it, so that's always the goal."
For now, Kade Ruotolo will return to grappling by defending his belt against Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168: Denver on September 6 at Ball Arena. This blockbuster event is free for Prime Video subscribers in North America, as it happens live in US primetime.