Kade Ruotolo To Defend Lightweight Submission Grappling Belt Against Fabricio Andrey At The Inner Circle On June 26
Reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo will make his long-awaited return from injury against Hiroyuki “Japanese Beast” Tetsuka in lightweight MMA action on Friday, May 15.
But then, six weeks later, he will defend his belt against one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most dangerous forces in a blockbuster World Title showdown.
The 23-year-old American sensation will put his gold on the line against Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey at The Inner Circle, which goes down live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, June 26. That match will stream exclusively on live.onefc.com.
Ruotolo is widely regarded as one of the most gifted grapplers of his generation.
The California-based BJJ black belt burst onto ONE Championship’s global stage in May 2022, beating Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki via unanimous decision in his promotional debut. Then, five months later, he forced Uali Kurzhev to tap out and claimed the inaugural ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Since capturing the crown, he has defended it three times, defeating Brazil’s Matheus Gabriel once and Norway’s Tommy Langaker twice, all via unanimous decision.
Ruotolo’s submission hunting skills, relentless top game, and fast-paced attacking style have made him one of the most exciting competitors in the sport today.
The Californian has made an equally stunning impression in the MMA world. He has racked up three consecutive first-round victories to date, with each win looking more impressive than the last.
Now, Ruotolo – the youngest ADCC World Champion in history – gears up for perhaps his most dangerous ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title defense yet, and the challenger arriving from Brazil has done everything right to earn his shot at glory.
Andrey was born and raised in the BJJ hotbed of Manaus, a city that has produced some of the sport’s most ferocious competitors.
The Brazilian’s professional grappling record stands at an impressive 106-27, and since making his ONE Championship debut last year, he has looked every bit as dangerous on the global stage as he has been throughout his career.
Andrey, an IBJJF World Champion and black belt who trains out of Alliance, opened his promotional campaign with a unanimous decision victory over English veteran Ashley Williams in April 2025. Six months later, he defeated Eduardo Granzotto via unanimous decision.
This past February, he produced another unanimous decision win over compatriot and 2025 IBJJF World Champion Joao “Bisnaga” Mendes to cement his place as one of the premier grapplers in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Known for powerful takedowns and an aggressive submission game that includes flying techniques, Andrey brings an unpredictable, high-risk, high-reward style that has troubled everyone he has faced.
When Ruotolo meets another established BJJ World Champion with 106 professional wins and a flair for the spectacular, the result is a World Title showdown that has all the makings of an instant classic.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about The Inner Circle on June 26.
