‘It Will Be A Great Fight’ – Francisco Lo Expects War With Fellow Submission Hunter Kade Ruotolo
Grappling fans are hyped about the ONE Championship debut of renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Francisco Lo.
The 23-year-old is set to square off with current ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo in a 180-pound catchweight tilt on April 5 in U.S. primetime at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video.
That much-anticipated matchup between two of the sport’s most electrifying competitors will go down at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Known for his explosive and innovative submission-hunting game, the Brazilian is confident he’ll find a willing dance partner in Ruotolo, who has earned a reputation as one of the planet’s most relentless and aggressive grapplers.
Lo spoke to onefc.com about his clash with the 21-year-old American phenom:
“I think we have very similar styles because I also aggressively look for submissions. He is also aggressive, doesn’t like to tie up the fight, and is always looking for the submission.
“He likes to put on a show. I also like to put on a show, so I think it will be a great fight. I’m really looking forward to making this debut.”
Lo understands that he’ll be facing one of the few men who can match his pace.
For his part, Ruotolo will come into this non-title bout undefeated in five ONE appearances and fresh off a dominant decision win over current IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Tommy Langaker.
With that in mind, Lo is preparing for a hard-fought battle against a uniquely aggressive type of opponent that is rarely seen in the sport:
“What makes [Ruotolo] so dangerous are the attacks he makes, always looking for the submission. I think this makes him very dangerous and different from other jiu-jitsu athletes.”
Lo Predicts Submission Win Over Ruotolo
Of course, Francisco Lo isn’t coming into ONE Fight Night 21 only looking to put on a show; he’s determined to take home the victory in his promotional debut.
While he knows that Kade Ruotolo is a supremely talented submission artist, he thinks his own unique style of grappling will give the Californian problems:
“I believe in my game. I always look for the submission. I believe that my game will fit well with his game, and I believe I can submit him.”
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt since 2022, Lo possesses one of the most creative submission games ever seen, already boasting wins via flying triangle choke, heel hook, kneebar, and calf slicer, among others.
He expects to add to that list against Ruotolo – and he already has a specific finish on deck:
“I think this fight will end with a submission from me. I believe we have a very similar game, but I can already imagine submitting him.
“I’m not going to say what the submission will be, but I already have it in mind, and I’m very excited, just waiting for the day of the fight to arrive.”
