Tye Ruotolo: Adrian Lee confident MMA experience will give him edge over Tye Ruotolo: "I've been doing MMA since I was a kid"

Adrian Lee believes having more experience doing MMA gives him the advantage over Tye Ruotolo in their scheduled clash next month in Thailand. He is looking to underline that come fight night.

The ONE Championship stars feature in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video, part of the marquee event happening on Sept. 5 at Bangkok's famed Lumpinee Stadium.

It will mark the first foray of Ruotolo, the ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion, in mixed martial arts, which is in line with his push to continue to grow as a fighter.

Speaking to ONE Championship in an interview, Adrian Lee, 19, expressed confidence that being the more "seasoned" mixed martial artist over Ruotolo, 22, gives him the edge when they touch gloves at ONE Fight Night 35.

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The Prodigy Training Center standout said:

"Even though he’s been doing grappling since he was a kid, I’ve been doing MMA since I was a kid. So, I think that’s gonna show on fight night."

At ONE Fight Night 35, Lee is looking to extend his impressive winning run in ONE Championship, which currently stands at three straight since making his promotional debut in June last year. All of his victories came by way of stoppage via submission and each earned him a performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger is available live at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Adrian Lee eyes another finish against Tye Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 35

Another impressive finish is what Adrian Lee is gunning for when he takes on Tye Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 35.

He made his intentions clearly known in an interview with the South China Morning Post, highlighting that he and his family of fighters have built a reputation as finishers and it is the same approach he will continue to bring in his upcoming fight.

'The Phenom' said:

“My family and I, we are finishers in all means. There's no use in leaving it to the judges. I plan on taking them out.”

Adrian Lee, the latest in his family to compete in ONE Championship, joining double world champion Christian Lee, has won all of his three matches to date in the "Home of Martial Arts" by finishes. His latest victory came in March in Japan, forcing into submission (Anaconda choke) in the opening round hometown bet Takeharu Ogawa.

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Michael Murillo is a journalist who covers basketball and MMA at Sportskeeda with over two decades of experience. Michael has contributed as a proofreader, columnist and journalist for the Philippine broadsheet BusinessWorld.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in English Studies, basketball caught Michael's imagination from an early age. Varsity basketball helped Michael to express himself, and later, it opened doors into the world of journalism.

Michael has a particular admiration for the Phoenix Suns, inspired by Kevin Durant. Icons like Magic Johnson and modern legends like Durant have left an indelible mark on Michael for their revolutionary impact on the game.

Michael relies on the tried and tested method of thorough research to ensure accuracy in his content. He has interviewed multiple NBA players and officials with BusinessWorld, alongside athletes from various disciplines.

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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim