Kade Ruotolo Discusses ‘Curse’ of Sharing Fight Card with Brother Tye

Kade Ruotolo will hope to break a funny “curse” when he shares the ONE on Prime Video 21 card with his twin brother, Tye Ruotolo.

The ONE Championship lightweight submission grappling champion will face innovative Brazilian standout Francisco Lo in a 180-pound catchweight matchup at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on April 5. Ruotolo has coincidentally never picked up a finish in any of the cards he previously shared with Tye, who, on the other hand, managed to submit his opponent every time. But Ruotolo insists it wasn’t due to a lack of effort on his part.

“It was the funniest thing because that’s been my ONE Championship curse as of recently,” the 21-year-old said during the ONE Fight Night 21 media day. “You know, it’s my style, it’s no lack of effort, I’m coming close in almost every match. In the Shinya [Aoki] match, I had the buggy choke at the end, which was real tight. The Tommy [Langaker] one, I finished in a triangle that was pretty tight. I was always pushing, and I felt my opponent breaking at the end, but I just wasn’t able to get the finish. Same thing with my Matheus [Gabriel] match. It’s funny because ADCC was all submissions: four submissions.”

Asked how he expects his upcoming bout to play out, Ruotolo said:

“I think this match is really interesting because it’s kind of a bit of a question mark all around as far as what submissions I can throw and what submissions he can throw. He’s got some crafty triangles and foot locks. I got some triangles, armbars, foot locks and chokes of my own, as well. So, it could go anywhere.

“I’m not sure exactly what he’s got in mind, but for me personally, I think it could go in any direction. Even more so than any match I’ve had in the past, this one is a solid question mark. I don’t really care. I don’t really have a preference, whatever he shows me, I’m going to take it.”

Meanwhile, Tye will defend his ONE welterweight submission grappling title for the first time against Izaak Michell on the same card. Ruotolo plans on putting his opponent on their back and working his way to a finish from there.

“I think it’s going to be a war for the first couple of minutes. I think he’s going to come forward, and I think he’s going to use his physicality a lot. One hundred percent, it’s going to make me mad. So, I’m really excited.

“I think I’m going to get on his back and choke him, or guillotine. I don’t really know how I’m going to submit him, I just have faith that I’m going to submit him. Whichever way it happens, I’ll take it. I just want to put him on his back. I know I’m going to put him on his back first and sub him from there.”