Kade Ruotolo

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu MMA Lightweight Submission Grappling (76 kg); active in MMA

At nineteen, Kade Ruotolo became the youngest ADCC world champion ever and subsequently became the reigning ONE Championship lightweight submission grappling champion. With a style that is as flashy as it is effective, he is also building an undefeated reputation in the MMA cage.

Profile

The story

Kade Ruotolo, like his twin brother Tye, was born on Maui, Hawaii, and grew up in Huntington Beach, California. From the age of three, he trained in jiu-jitsu with Tye, first at Art of Jiu-Jitsu and, from 2017, at Atos Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão.

In 2022, Kade won the IBJJF World Championship at brown-belt level and the ADCC World Championship in the -77 kg division. This made him the youngest ADCC champion ever. In October 2022, he became the first ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

From 2024 onward, Kade also transitioned to MMA. He remained undefeated, recovered from an ACL injury, and returned in May 2026 with a knockout victory over Hiroyuki Tetsuka. He is retaining his grappling title while he works on his recovery.

In the ring

Fighting style

An exceptionally agile, flashy no-gi grappler known for his heel hooks, leg locks, and lightning-fast transitions between positions—a style often described as next level in terms of agility. In MMA, he shows that alongside his submission threat, he can also finish opponents with his fists.

Results

Performance

Youngest ADCC world champion ever in 2022 in the -77 kg division; first and reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion since October 2022; winner of the 2024 Craig Jones Invitational in the -80 kg division; ONE Championship Fighter of the Year 2024; undefeated in MMA to date with a record of 4-0.

Over the years

Timeline

2003: Born in Maui, Hawaii; grows up in Huntington Beach, California.

2006: Begins jiujitsu with his twin brother Tye at age three.

2017: Moves to Atos Jiu-Jitsu with Tye.

December 2021: Receives his black belt from André Galvão.

2022: Wins the IBJJF World Championship at brown belt level and debuts in ONE Championship with a victory over Shinya Aoki.

October 2022: Becomes the youngest ADCC World Champion ever and the first ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

June 2024: Makes his MMA debut with a submission victory over Blake Cooper.

2024: Wins the Craig Jones Invitational and is named ONE Fighter of the Year.

May 2026: Returns from an ACL injury with a knockout victory over Hiroyuki Tetsuka, bringing his MMA record to 4-0.

June 2026: Withdraws from a scheduled title defense against Fabricio Andrey due to a new injury.

Influence

Legacy

Together with his twin brother Tye, Kade Ruotolo has proven that top grapplers can also compete at the highest level in MMA. As the youngest ADCC champion ever, he has set a new standard for what is achievable at a young age in the grappling world. His spectacular, technically advanced style has contributed to the popularity of submission grappling as a separate discipline within ONE Championship.