Grappling Ace Tye Ruotolo to Make Highly Anticipated MMA Debut Against Adrian Lee at ONE Fight Night 35

Tye Ruotolo, one of the most decorated submission grapplers of his generation, is set to embark on a new chapter in his combat sports journey. The 21-year-old phenom will make his long-awaited MMA debut against undefeated prospect Adrian Lee at ONE Fight Night 35, scheduled for September 5 at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

This matchup pits two of the most promising young talents in ONE Championship against each other. While Ruotolo’s name has long echoed through the grappling world thanks to his dominant performances on the mats, Adrian Lee has quietly built a flawless MMA record under the shadow of his championship-winning siblings.

Ruotolo, alongside his twin brother Kade, signed with ONE Championship with the intention of competing in both submission grappling and MMA. Kade has already made waves in the cage with a perfect 3-0 start to his MMA career, and now Tye is ready to follow suit. Known for his aggressive style, high-paced scrambles, and elite-level submission game, Tye’s transition into MMA has been eagerly anticipated by fans and analysts alike.

Throughout his grappling career, Ruotolo has not only amassed victories but has done so over world-class opposition. His résumé includes wins against established names like Garry Tonon, Marat Gafurov, and Reinier de Ridder—all veterans in both MMA and submission grappling. Those accolades highlight just how prepared he is for this new challenge. Now, as he steps into the cage for the first time, Ruotolo will have the chance to prove that his dominance can translate into a successful MMA run.

On the other side of the cage will be Adrian Lee, a rising 19-year-old star who carries the torch for the Lee family dynasty in ONE Championship. Younger brother to former champions Angela Lee and Christian Lee, Adrian has already carved out a path of his own, racking up three consecutive submission victories since making his professional debut. His grappling-focused style makes him a fitting opponent for Ruotolo’s first MMA test—one that should provide fireworks from the opening bell.

Lee’s rapid success and slick finishing ability have drawn attention, and this matchup presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity. A win over a grappling savant like Ruotolo could instantly catapult him into deeper waters in ONE’s lightweight or welterweight divisions, while Ruotolo has the chance to make an emphatic statement by dispatching an undefeated rising star in his MMA debut.

The bout has all the makings of a grappling-heavy showcase, but with four-ounce gloves and MMA rules in play, both athletes will need to adapt. Striking, cage control, and transitions between phases will be key. Still, fans can expect high-level scrambles, submission attempts, and a display of youthful aggression.

The stakes are high for both fighters. For Ruotolo, it’s the beginning of a new legacy in a different discipline. For Lee, it’s a chance to prove that he’s ready for elite competition, even at just 19 years old.

As the date approaches, excitement continues to build. This fight not only signifies the beginning of Tye Ruotolo’s MMA career but also marks another pivotal moment in the evolution of ONE Championship’s roster of multi-discipline athletes.