ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo will transition to a new sport in his upcoming bout, and he has learned how different disciplines can work together to create effective techniques while preparing.

The American star is set to make his MMA debut against Blake Cooper at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7. 

Kade Ruotolo deems BJJ worthless without wrestling in MMA

Through six flawless bouts in ONE Championship, Ruotolo has showcased why he is one of the best grapplers of this generation by besting every fighter he has come across. 

The 21-year-old has been hinting at a switch to MMA for some time, and he’s been humbled in training for his first foray into the all-encompassing sport. 

“You being a black belt in jiu-jitsu means nothing in MMA if you don’t have wrestling. It means the opposite, honestly,” he explained to ONE in a recent interview. 

“If you’re a jiu-jitsu guy, and you don’t have good wrestling, and you’re planning on fighting MMA, you better hop in a high school wrestling class, whatever wrestling class you can get in, and start wrestling. That’s the first thing because jiu-jitsu doesn’t work without wrestling.”

While strikes are forbidden in submission grappling, they are very much encouraged in MMA. As such, grapplers keen on getting a quick finish could find themselves in for a rude awakening if they think submission is the only way to win. 

Has the BJJ star added wrestling and striking to his arsenal?

Given this, Ruotolo has been wise in thinking that he can no longer rely solely on his jiu-jitsu skills. While he may naturally dominate the ground like many other pure grapplers who have transitioned to MMA, getting his foe into his world will be the challenge. 

As such, he has added catch wrestling to his arsenal with the help of MMA pioneer Eric Paulson of Combat Submission Wrestling, which could make a difference.

With his hands ready to throw down and new ground techniques added, fans should expect Ruotolo to have a well-rounded arsenal of weaponry when he steps into the Circle against Cooper at ONE 167