The ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion needed just 4:14 of the second round to secure a rear-naked choke that ended Lee’s perfect record and announced his arrival in MMA with authority. But the victory meant more than just another professional achievement.
“This isn’t just another day in the office. It’s a whole new experience for me, so the fact that I got to come out on top and I’m not too hurt, and I’m just real happy and blessed,” Ruotolo said.
The striking improvements that caught observers’ attention didn’t happen by accident. Ruotolo’s preparation was fueled by the competitive dynamic that only twin brothers can understand, particularly when one has already succeeded in the arena where the other is making his debut.
“My brother, Kade, he had three MMA fights, and the striking started to get real crisp and sharp, better than mine, for sure. So I had to get competitive with him and make sure that he wasn’t too far ahead of me,” Ruotolo said.
The finishing sequence itself provided a moment that perfectly captured Ruotolo’s confidence in his signature skill set. When the referee attempted to reset their position while Ruotolo had Lee’s back, the submission specialist made his intentions clear.
“I had him in the choke, so I was yelling at him, I was telling him, ‘Let me choke him.’ He’s like, ‘No, let go.’ I was like, ‘No, let me choke him.'”
Despite the decisive victory, Ruotolo’s post-contest assessment of his opponent reflected the respect that defines elite-level competition.
“Absolute scrapper. Super formidable opponent, for sure. He’s good everywhere. He’s got good striking, good grappling—and that’s why I called him out,” he acknowledged.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Ruotolo’s approach to his MMA future suggests calculated ambition rather than extensive campaign planning. The $50,000 performance bonus winner made clear his intentions to pursue championship gold efficiently.
“I don’t care to have a whole bunch of fights in my MMA career whatsoever. I don’t care to beat on guys that I know I can beat. I want to have a short road to the top.” he said.
