‘I’m Literally The Rodtang Of Jiu-Jitsu’ – Mikey Musumeci Guarantees Fireworks In Kade Ruotolo Super-Fight
Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci says fans can expect an unforgettable barnburner when he moves up in weight to challenge fellow American superstar Kade Ruotolo for the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Set to go down on September 6 in U.S. primetime in the co-main event of ONE 168: Denver at Ball Arena, that historic matchup pits arguably the sport’s top two top grapplers against each other.
Unsurprisingly, the clash between Musumeci and Ruotolo has the BJJ world buzzing with excitement.
Beyond the historical implications of this World Champion versus World Champion showdown, each athlete’s aggressive, submission-hunting style creates a recipe for fireworks.
“Darth Rigatoni” – who is the current ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion and undefeated in ONE – says that his attack-oriented approach from the guard will clash with Ruotolo’s equally aggressive style from the top position.
Musumeci says this is submission grappling’s equivalent of a classic slugfest between two fearless brawlers:
“I’m never just defending. I’m just forward every second. I’m literally the Rodtang of jiu-jitsu. But that’s my style. I’m literally going for the finish every second. Yes, I am a butt-scooter. Like, I do pull guard, but I’m forward every second looking to sub the person.
“And Kade is the same way, but on top. He’s always looking to sub the person from top. So you have two guys that are looking to sub each other that are always forward in this match. Isn’t that the most exciting match, then?”
Given Ruotolo’s propensity for jumping on a submission at a moment’s notice, Musumeci knows he’ll be throwing himself into the fire each and every time he looks to attack. With that in mind, he’s systematically preparing for every possible counter-attack Ruotolo might offer.
It’s a tall task, but the New Jersey native says he’s ready for his opponent’s well-rounded, unorthodox, and unpredictable style:
“I always constantly speak so well of the Ruotolos because they’re so versatile with their attacks. But I am going to go forward. I’m gonna attack. It doesn’t matter the opponent I’m attacking, I just have to prepare and make my attack safe for their counterattack because they have very good counterattacks.
“That’s one thing I’ll give away. Every exchange I do with Kade, I already have in my mind every possibility of how Kade could counter-attack me. So there’s nothing unexpected. And I’m gonna choose the exchanges that we do very wisely. That’s all I’ll say. Because, again, they’re so dangerous with their counters, and that’s why I have 1 million moves.”
Ultimately, while Musumeci has the utmost respect for Ruotolo’s counterattacking ability, he promises he won’t change his submission-hunting style one bit.
On September 6, “Darth Rigatoni” plans to put it all on the line and take on one of the most dangerous submission specialists the sport has ever seen – laying the foundation for what has all the makings of the most electrifying grappling match in history.
The 28-year-old black belt added:
“My whole game is attacking. Like, I don’t know how not to attack. So I’m still planning to attack. I’m gonna go for the kill with Kade every second. It’s scary. It’s crazy. But like I told you, I have to choose every sequence very wisely. And that’s up to me in my training right now to see, like, can I get countered here with a flying armbar, with a D’arce choke, with a flying something? That’s how the Ruotolos are.
“And, I think that this match, and Chatri [Sityodtong] said it too, is gonna be the most watched match in jiu-jitsu history and probably the most exciting match in jiu-jitsu history because of that thing.”
Musumeci Explains Motivation For Going Up Three Weight Classes
Yet another intriguing aspect of the World Title contest between Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo is the substantial difference in size. “Darth Rigatoni” typically competes at 135 pounds, while the defending World Champion competes at 170 pounds.
The mere fact that this match is possible – and that Musumeci stands a real chance of winning – is what makes jiu-jitsu such a uniquely captivating sport, he says:
“I’m the best in the world at 135. And Kade’s the dominant best in the world at 170. He’s been dominating everyone at 170. In any other sport, because it’s standing, like wrestling, striking, it would be impossible for this scenario to happen. It would just be zero chance. But because we’re in jiu-jitsu, a guy can go three weight classes up, David versus Goliath, and fight the heavier person. And, again, like I keep saying, there is a chance I can win. There’s a chance that the little guy could beat the big guy. So I think that’s what’s beautiful about jiu-jitsu.”
Already widely recognized as one of – if not the greatest – American BJJ competitors ever, Musumeci has little left to prove. Why then would he move up in weight to take on such a dangerous and talented grappler, risking his years-long 15-match unbeaten streak?
For the flyweight submission grappling king, the answer is simple – he’ll never stop seeking a new challenge.
He spoke about his motivation for challenging Ruotolo at ONE 168:
“What makes me excited is to keep growing. That’s what makes me excited, to keep training and learning. Fighting the same people in your weight class for, like, 10 years, that is not exciting to me. It’s a waste of time. But for me to do this heavy division where there’s so much doubt – can I do it? That’s what I love – the uncertainty and doubt and pushing myself and dropping my ego. Can I do this? I don’t know. We’ll see.
“But if I do it, amazing. I make history. If I can’t, awesome. I get back up and I get better and I learn from it, and I go on to the next one.”
