“We've been trying” - Tye Ruotolo shifts focus back on Nicholas Meregali after victory over Jozef Chen
After Tye Ruotolo secured another victory in his fight with young prodigy Jozef Chen, the reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling king is already aiming to take on another foe.
At ONE Fight Night 23, Ruotolo snatched a decision over promotional newcomer Chen after 10 minutes of non-stop grappling action inside the iconic Lumpine Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Meanwhile, the American superstar has been so eager to get his hands on his old rival and fellow BJJ black belt Nicholas Meregali, despite also wanting to follow his twin brother's footsteps in making a pro-MMA debut.
In the post-fight interview with ONE Championship, Ruotolo stated:
"We've been trying to get [Nicholas] Meregali for a long time. I guess he's very difficult to work with, I don't know, but I just think he doesn't really want to fight, to be honest with you."
He then explained his reason for having this rematch:
"The last time we fought, I had multiple torn ligaments in my knee. He used to be fifty pounds heavier and I still Alpha-checked him…back at the end of the fight, you know. So that's one that I really want to get back. I've got Meregali. It doesn't really matter, whoever ONE feels like they want to put in front of me next. I'm ready for anything."
Needless to say, the 27-year-old would take on whoever ONE matchmakers put as his new opponent in his upcoming match.
Tye Ruotolo wants to join the upcoming ONE 168 card in Denver
ONE Championship has built the next card for its return to the United States with ONE 168: Denver. Tye Ruotolo aims to get a slot there.
Speaking to Sportskeeda MMA, he explained about his plans to join his twin brother Kade Ruotolo in the Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado on Sept. 6.
He said:
"100 percent, maybe, I'll make one of those my MMA debut, you know. But yeah, that'll be a sick card. I always love fighting on the same card with my brother. When we coach each other, you know, we always keep good energy and we feed off each other's energy."
In the first of two scheduled U.S. events, Kade Ruotolo will defend his ONE lightweight submission grappling belt against fellow ONE world champion Mikey Musumeci.