Tye Ruotolo Vs. Marat Gafurov Submission Grappling Match Added To ONE On Prime Video 5
ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo isn’t the only member of his family who will be competing at ONE on Prime Video 5 this Friday, December 2.
His twin brother, Tye Ruotolo, will now join him at the blockbuster event.
The 19-year-old California native will square off against former ONE Featherweight World Champion and longtime MMA star Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in a 180-pound catchweight submission grappling match on the event’s lead card.
Ruotolo, who holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Galvao, made a loud statement in his record-setting ONE Championship debut this past May.
At ONE 157, he submitted #2-ranked featherweight MMA contender and five-time EBI Grappling Champion Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon with his signature D’Arce choke in just 97 seconds.
That win, which was the fastest victory in ONE submission grappling history at that point, also earned the teenage sensation a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
At ONE on Prime Video 5, Ruotolo will look to grab his second consecutive promotional victory and another performance bonus – but he’ll need to defeat a completely different type of grappler.
Gafurov is a four-time ONE Featherweight World Champion who’s earned 63 percent of his 19 professional MMA victories via submission. Incredibly, the Dagestani won his first six ONE Championship bouts via rear-naked choke.
Aside from his MMA success, “Cobra” is also a decorated grappler.
He’s a BJJ black belt who has captured FILA World Titles in both grappling and pankration, as well as multiple Russian ADCC gold medals and Dagestani BJJ Championships.
Gafurov had a tough matchup in ONE’s second-ever submission grappling match back at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE in January 2018. The Russian was submitted by Japanese legend Shinya Aoki – via his own trademark rear-naked choke – after nearly twelve-and-a-half minutes of action.
Now, the 38-year-old “Cobra” has a chance to earn some redemption, and a victory over Ruotolo could potentially lead him to a World Title bout against twin brother Kade.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE on Prime Video 5.
December 2 | ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin | 8 p.m. ET | How To Watch
- Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch for free with an Amazon Prime subscription!
