Welterweight submission grappling king Tye Ruotolo admits it’s “tough being not where I want” while battling injuries for most of 2024
Tye Ruotolo admitted that 2024 hasn't been the easiest of years in his already storied career.
The reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion revealed on Instagram that he's been battling injuries for almost eight months, preventing him from competing as many times as possible.
Nevertheless, Ruotolo is determined to return to peak form and extend his legacy with the ONE welterweight submission grappling world title.
Tye Ruotolo posted:
"[For the] last eight months, [I've] been battling injuries. It's tough not being where I want but I know everything happens for a reason and nothing will stop me from being where I need to be."
He added:
"The break is unfortunate, but it's okay because my brother has been holding it down, proud of you ❤️ @kaderuotolo. Also on the bright side, while I'm healing we've been slaying fish."
Ruotolo, the twin brother of ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo, was already nursing a few injuries during the Craig Jones Invitational in August.
Unfortunately, Ruotolo suffered a major injury when he competed in the Las Vegas tournament. The 21-year-old has since gotten stem cell treatment to help speed up his recovery in hopes of mounting a stellar campaign in 2025.
The IBJJF and WNO world champion became the inaugural ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion when he dominated Magomed Abdulkadirov at ONE Fight Night 16 in November 2023.
Ruotolo had his first defense of the gold at ONE Fight Night 21 when he submitted Izaak Michell in April 2024.
He also scored a unanimous decision win over fellow young star Jozef Chen in their non-title matchup at ONE Fight Night 23 in July.
Tye Ruotolo ecstatic over twin brother Kade's second MMA win in ONE Championship
Tye Ruotolo may be recuperating from his injuries, but he was in his twin brother's corner at ONE 169.
Kade had his second MMA fight when he took on Pakistani brawler Ahmed Mujtaba this past weekend at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
The ONE lightweight submission grappling world title put on an incredible performance and submitted Mujtaba with his trademark D'Arce choke in the opening round.
In a backstage video with ONE Championship, Ruotolo expressed his euphoria when he watched the clip of his twin brother's masterpiece:
"Right here, I was already yelling D'Arce, you know? It's funny, I just, I immediately started yelling D'Arce. But wait, on second thought, no, you should hit him. And then you D'Arced him. Okay, there you go."