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BJJ Sensation Kade Ruotolo, the reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion, is stepping into the world of mixed martial arts with fervor as he prepares to face Blake Cooper in his MMA debut at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga, set to stream on Prime Video on Friday, June 7, from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ruotolo, known for his innovative grappling techniques, showcased his prowess once again last Friday with a unique submission named the "Ruotolotine," securing a victory over BJJ black belt Francisco Lo. With an impressive record in the grappling world and several successful title defenses, Ruotolo is eager to embrace a new challenge in MMA, as expressed in his recent post-fight interview.
Reflecting on his upcoming bout against Cooper, Ruotolo stated,
“The first week of June, it’s on. I’m super fired up. It’s been a long time coming. I have a tough opponent in Blake Cooper ahead of me. The entire Cooper family are legend. Heavy hands and good wrestling. It will be an amazing matchup."
Cooper, hailing from Hawaii and representing a family legacy in fighting, made his professional debut in ONE Fight Night 14 but faced his first loss against Maurice Abevi. However, Ruotolo acknowledges Cooper's skills, highlighting his heavy hands, wrestling prowess, and scrappiness as factors that make him a formidable adversary.
“I’ve already watched his last ONE Championship performance. I’m definitely not taking anybody lightly. He has some heavy hands and good wrestling. He’s a scrapper. Anyone from Hawaii is a scrapper. I know that for sure, so I’m excited," Ruotolo remarked, emphasizing his respect for Cooper's abilities.
While Ruotolo ventures into MMA, he reassures fans that his dedication to jiu-jitsu remains unwavering, showcasing his versatility across multiple martial arts disciplines.