Tye Ruotolo Addresses ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title Shot, Transition To MMA

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Tye Ruotolo's return to ONE Championship's submission grappling realm may have come on short notice, but the American stud didn't miss a beat last week at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

The 20-year-old tussled with Turkish foe Dagi Arslanaliev last week, on the card in Bangkok, Thailand. And after a brief feeling out period, Ruotolo's talent shone as he defeated Arslanaliev with a rear-naked choke at 2:39 of the one-round contest.

Ruotolo is gracious in earning his fourth consecutive victory and the third submission of his ONE tenure. But in that, he remains grateful to Arslanaliev for showing up in the small timeframe he was given.

"Anyone from Dagestan is going to be tough and strong. You know he didn't have to take the fight on short notice, but he did and he showed up. He's a gamer, so I appreciate it," Ruotolo said.

"Anyone at 180 pounds, I should be able to submit no matter what. Whether they come to defend or stall or whether they come to attack. So that's the plan every time I step on the mats."

After scoring his fourth straight win in the organization, ONE's own Mitch Chilson informed Ruotolo that he had earned an opportunity to become the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

As of yet, the American remains without an opponent. And he isn't trying to pick and choose his battles. That said, Ruotolo does have two names in mind that he deems fitting for a crowning performance.

"I don't have a specific person that I feel like I have a hit on. I'm down to fight anybody. But I think Isaac Mitchell and Pedro Marinho are the two toughest guys at 185 pounds, so either one those guys," Ruotolo said.

"Maybe they fight each other and I face the winner. I'm down to fight anybody at 185 pounds. Isaac or Pedro, let's go." Ruotolo looks to join the illustrious ranks of his brother, ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo.

And while his brother has dominated the lightweight realm, he expects Kade's MMA debut to be on the horizon. The pair have stated many times that they wish to try their luck in 4-ounce gloves. But while his twin brother's debut will be sooner rather than later, Ruotolo is giving more attention to his bread and butter.

"I see my brother making his debut by the end of the year. He's got so much fire in his heart for MMA. I can see it. So for sure he's going to do it this year, and for myself I'm going to wait a little bit longer," he said.

"You know I want to keep proving myself in jiu-jitsu, cementing myself as the best around in my weight, or even just around my weight, pound-for-pound. Once I cement that, I'll make my way over to MMA and make my debut."