The BJJ vs. Sambo debate is over, with the victory unmistakable going to Jiu-Jitsu! The youngest ADCC champion ever, Kade Ruotolo, makes history again by winning the inaugural ONE Submission Grappling lightweight title by beating 4x Sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev by heel hook.
Kade Ruotolo made quick work of the Sambo champion and never really looked in trouble. Before the match Kade showed lots of respect to Uali, telling ONE:
“I’m hearing that he is one of the greats. He’s a Sambo world champion. So I know he’s a stud, and I know he’s going to be tough.
Sambo guys, in general, they have a very strong wrestling background, usually. And they have very strong upper-body wrestling. They have good picks, inside trips, things like that.
I love to try and take down, stay on top, and get the submission, so I think there will definitely be a clash of styles on the feet.”
The fight between Kade Ruotolo and Uali Kurzhev was the first of three fights on the ONE on Prime Video 3 main card.
The first takedown went Kurzhev’s way when he foot-tripped Kade right off the bat. That did not last long, and Kade countered Kurzehv’s next takedown to get his back. Kuzrzhev got Kade off eventually, only for Ruotolo to come back to his back via a single leg before deciding to change his attack when Kurzhev tried to roll and going for an Inside Senkaku, which eventually led to an inverted inside heel hook finish halfway through the 10-minute match.
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Kurzhev failed a hydration test before the wight-ins and fought slightly over the weight limit, which obviously did not phase Ruotolo at all.
At the end of the match, Kade called out Tainan Dalpra and Tommy Langaker, both of whom he has tensions or playful rivalries with, and would like to meet in the ONE Circle.
“Winning this belt for ONE is right there with my ADCC title,” said Kade to the reporters. “I’m not going to put one over the other.”
In addition to the inaugural ONE Submission grappling lightweight belt, Kade also won a $50,000 cash prize. He intends to put the money towards the new gym he is building with his brother Tye in Costa Rica.
Speaking of his brother, Kade said “He’s got two wins over me [in previous competition encounters], so I’d love to get one back.” With Tye fighting for ONE as well, this one might not be too far ahead!
