Grappling phenom Tye Ruotolo continued his dominant run in ONE Championship this past Friday by claiming the biggest prize of his career, but he insists a switch of sport isn’t yet on the horizon for him. In the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 16 on November 3, Ruotolo became the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion by outclassing Magomed Abdulkadirov en route to a unanimous decision win inside the revered Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

With his latest victory, the American star is now undefeated across five bouts in ONE, and he has scored three finishes along with four performance bonuses. At just 20 years old, there appears little left for the Atos representative to do in submission grappling.

Tye Ruotolo wanted to follow Kade Ruotolo in his plans to join MMA

But when asked if he was ready to consider making a change to MMA during his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, Ruotolo said it may not be his time just yet. “Ever since I was three years old, I always wanted to be the best of all time in jiu-jitsu. I haven’t gotten that yet. I’m close, and I got a lot more to prove,” he said.  

“But I can tell my brother is itchy to do MMA for sure. He’s scratching at the bit. I think pretty soon he’ll be in MMA, and I’m going to follow in his footsteps. We’ll see how he goes first. Hopefully, he does good. I got confidence in him, for sure, and then I’m coming after.”

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Tye’s twin brother Kade is also undefeated in his four bouts in ONE, and he currently reigns as the promotion’s lightweight submission grappling king. After two World Title defenses, the California native has strongly hinted that he may move to the ultra-competitive lightweight MMA division and try his hand at the all-encompassing sport very soon.

The situation is also perfect for Kade Ruotolo to make his MMA debut

He defeated former divisional king Shinya Aoki in a submission grappling affair in his debut in May 2022, so going up against the Japanese veteran in MMA would be a perfect starting point for him.

“I’m the Best in the World at 185” – Tye Ruotolo Dares Anyone to Challenge His Reign, Names Two Grapplers on His Hitlist

Meanwhile, Tye has singled out Pedro Marinho and Isaac Mitchell as fighters next on his hitlist in submission grappling, so he clearly believes he still has work to do in the canvas-based realm. That said, the new ONE World Champion hasn’t ruled out a move to MMA, so it may only be a matter of time before he begins his quest for two-sport glory.

ONE Fight Night 16 Results: Jonathan Haggerty Becomes Two-Sport World Champion, Tye Ruotolo Claims Welterweight Submission Grappling Gold