Kade Ruotolo quite frankly doesnāt need MMA.
For someone raking in dough in the world of grappling, including a $1 million prize pocketed at 2024 Craig Jones Invitational, the drive clearly isnāt about the money.
Initially, Ruotolo (1-0) couldnāt answer the question of āWhy get punched in the head when you donāt have to?ā
It took him a little while to figure it out, but ahead of his second pro bout Nov. 8 at ONE Championship 169 in Bangkok, Ruotolo has an answer.
āAt the beginning of the year, I was really, almost ānot lost, but I didnāt exactly understand what I wanted to be known for as far as legacy goes,ā Ruotolo told MMA Junkie. āI was sitting back thinking, and itās actually when I found God and started going to church a bit. It really helped me as far as clarity goes. I realize Iām not just trying to become the best at jiu-jitsu. I really decided I wanted to become one of the best martial artists of all time.ā
Ruotolo, 21, and his twin brother Tye are grappling prodigies who began training at three. At age 18, Ruotolo was awarded a black belt by Andre Galvao. In 2022 at age 19, he became the youngest person to ever win an ADCC World Championship.
MMA gives him the opportunity to learn and grow. He thinks that potential is much more limited in grappling.
āIn order to be one of the best martial artists of all time, youāve got to do it all: jiu-jitsu, wrestling, MMA, striking, wrestling, boxing, all these martial arts,ā Ruotolo said. āThatās really my goal. My coach Erik Paulson, heās a true martial artist. He knows everything, every kind of Jeet Kune Do, jiu-jitsu, boxing, wrestling. He knows it all. I want to be like him. Heās a big inspiration for me.
āThatās the goal: to become a full martial artist. I feel like in jiu-jitsu, Iāve gotten to the top of the mountain in the most humble way possible. My brother and I pretty much accomplished everything you can in jiu-jitsu. So with that being said, the next big mountain is MMA. Itās obviously a huge mountain to climb with a lot of scraps along the way, but thatās where I want to be.ā
In June, Ruotolo made his MMA debut when he quickly disposed of Blake Cooper (2-2) with a rear-naked choke submission at the 3:20 mark of Round 1. Ruotolo was pleased with the performance, but wishes he couldāve shown off more of his other skills outside of grappling.
This time around, Ruotolo faces Ahmed Mujtaba (10-4) and hopes to display some striking, though will be seeking the win over all else, of course. From there, itāll be time to heal some injuries, like the one that forced him out of a September grappling match vs. Mikey Musemeci.
āIāve talked to two people about the same injury and they gave me two completely different types of advice ā complete opposites,ā Ruotolo said. āOne person goes, āNo, get the surgery now because if you donāt get it now, itās going to tear all the way through.ā Then someone told me, āNo, donāt do surgery. Do stem cells and just let it heal naturally. The surgery, youāre out for a year, right?ā Iām kind of torn, in between. Iāve got two torn labrums at the moment, in each hip. Iāve just got to figure that out. Right now, Iām more leaning toward (that) I donāt want to take a year off. Thatās not really an option for me. Iām more so in the ājust try to recover it.'ā
If rest and recovery goes well, Ruotolo hopes to have a big 2025 with three MMA fights as well as the major grappling tournaments. With just one MMA bout under his belt, Ruotolo thinks itās inevitable he makes a massive impact in the world of fighting.
āTo be entirely honest with you, in the most humble way possible, Iām a very mentally strong person,ā Ruotolo said. āIf you were to take the champion in the division and tell me, āIf you were to fight him tomorrow, how would you do?ā I feel like Iād get the āW.ā But itās not really so much about skyrocketing straight to the top as much as it is gaining those experiences. For me and my coaches, thatās one thing theyāre really big on. They really want me to have as many experiences as possible before I really do get the belt. Iām definitely obviously really green when it comes up to the MMA world.
āThereās a lot of variables and a lot of things to learn. Every day Iām learning so much. Thatās why I love it so much. Itās been a long time since Iāve learned something every single day. Itās just refreshing. With that being said, our coaches are just really big on experience and thatās the goal. Really anyone aside from the champ, and weāll get there eventually.ā
sounds like a monster in the making.
He trains with my coach tyler Wombles out of classic for striking. Hard working kid going all in. Happy to see him jump into MMA and give it a shot.
He didnāt roll at 2024 ADCCā¦.
If you arenāt a fan of the Ruotolo brothers, you might just be a hater.
This. Dude is somehow always exciting to watch. I hope he doesnāt fall in love with striking but uses it to get in close and secure a takedown.
this. headline is wrong. CJI