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Reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo will finally make his highly anticipated mixed martial arts debut when he faces undefeated prodigy Adrian Lee in lightweight action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Friday, September 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old grappling phenom has teased an MMA transition for years and now steps into the ring against arguably the sport’s most promising young talent in ONE Championship today.
Tye Ruotolo Shows Respect For Lee Family Legacy
Despite his confidence heading into the lightweight showdown, Ruotolo expressed genuine respect for his 19-year-old opponent and the legendary Lee family lineage. The American grappling ace understands he faces a special talent from mixed martial arts royalty.
“I didn’t call him out because he’s a slouch. I didn’t call him out because I think it’s gonna be super easy. I called him out because he’s really good and because it’s gonna be a good win on the resume. I’ve got a lot of respect for the kid and the family, for sure,” Tye Ruotolo revealed.
Adrian represents the latest star from the prominent Lee family that has produced reigning two-division ONE World Champion Christian Lee and former atomweight queen Angela Lee. The Singapore-American prospect has compiled a perfect 3-0 record since his ONE Championship debut in June 2024, earning $50,000 performance bonuses for each submission victory.
Tye Ruotolo Seeks High-Level Competition In MMA
Tye Ruotolo’s approach to his MMA debut reflects his championship mentality developed through submission grappling dominance. The Atos representative has maintained a perfect 8-0 record in the promotion since joining in May 2022, capturing the welterweight submission grappling title along the way.
“My plan is just to take out the better guys as quick as possible. I don’t care to try to beat up a bunch of taxicab drivers. My plan is to get him out and finish the fight as soon as possible with what I’m the best at: jiu-jitsu. Slick and quick. That’s the plan,” Ruotolo explained.
The twin brother of ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo brings elite-level grappling credentials into his MMA debut. His strategy centers on utilizing his world-class ground game while potentially surprising opponents with improved striking ability.
Tye Ruotolo Predicts Early Fireworks Against Lee
The American submission specialist offered a bold prediction for his debut performance, suggesting fans should expect either a fast victory or a dramatic late finish. Ruotolo’s confidence stems from extensive preparation and a strong belief in his evolving skill set.
“It’s gonna be a big surprise. I know my striking, I know what I’m capable of, and I’m excited to put it to the test, too. I think it’s either gonna be an extremely fast submission within the first minute, or it’s gonna be a late round two finish by either TKO or submission,” Tye Ruotolo predicted.
Ironically, Lee expects to finish him just as quickly, either by TKO, knockout or submission.
ONE Fight Night 35 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, September 5. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
