Tye Ruotolo and Izaak Michell to co-headline ONE Fight Night 21
The much-awaited showdown between Tye Ruotolo and Izaak Michell has at last been rescheduled, putting an end to the anticipation.
Both men were originally set to collide at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month. However, the matchup has now been re-booked for ONE Championship’s next offering in U.S. primetime.
The 10-minute duel for Ruotolo’s ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Championship will take place in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. This emanates live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 5.
Ruotolo, alongside twin brother Kade, has been dominating the submission grappling scene in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The young American phenom made an immediate impact upon his arrival in 2022. He racked up five consecutive wins under the promotion’s banner.
His performances have been truly sensational. In three of his last five fights, he clinched victories through submission finishes.
Ruotolo made history in November 2023. There, he became the first-ever ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion by defeating Magomed Abdulkadirov via unanimous decision.
Izaak Michell dares to overcome Tye Ruotolo
Izaak Michell may not be as prominent as Tye Ruotolo, but he has a resume to prove that he deserves his spot at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video.
Under the tutelage of respected coaches such as Leo Arruda, John Danaher, and Craig Jones, Michell has emerged as one of the top no-gi athletes of his generation.
His most notable achievement is claiming the gold medal at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in 2022 as a brown belt.
Now, Michell is ready to capitalize on the once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase his skills to a much wider audience.