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Kade Ruotolo has broken down his game plan against Matheus Gabriel at ONE on Prime Video 5.
Ruotolo made a statement to end his phenomenal 2022 run by defending the ONE lightweight submission grappling title for the first time. The 2022 ADCC champion defeated IBJJF world champion Matheus Gabriel by unanimous decision.
During the ONE on Prime Video 5 post-event interviews, he had this to say about his game plan against Gabriel:
"That's a great question. Looking back at the match, it still matches once you have them, they're always kind of a blur and so you really go back and watch them. But the first thing that comes to mind, something that my brother told me is probably attacking the heel hooks a bit more. Like, a really tight kneebar attack, that was you know, I did feel like a couple pops in there but I think the knee bar definitely might put him out for that match. So probably a bit more heel hook and taps.”
Ruotolo emerged as a submission grappling superstar after becoming the youngest ADCC champion, submitting all of his opponents along the way. The 19-year-old has aspirations to transition to MMA, which could lead to him becoming a household name for combat sports fans.
Watch Kade Ruotolo's ONE on Prime Video 5 post-event interview below:
Kade Ruotolo breaks down his "pretty tight" heel hook attempt against Matheus Gabriel
Kade Ruotolo tried endlessly to submit Matheus Gabriel, but ultimately settled for a unanimous decision win. Despite not finishing the match, Ruotolo provided several highlight-reel moments, including a front flip into a heel hook attempt.
He explained the heel hook attempt at his ONE on Prime Video 5 post-event interview by saying:
“I've done that pass a couple of times. And he did a great push offense. So I kind of ended up right where his legs were. And I was like, I'll just take his leg instead, and it was right there. I think that was my tightest submission of the entire match. As I said, I've heard a couple of little pops in there. And he definitely had a little grimace in his face. So it was definitely pretty tight.”
After beating Gabriel, Ruotolo called out Tainan Dalpra and Tommy Langaker for his next ONE lightweight submission grappling title defense. Only time will tell what’s next for the 19-year-old BJJ phenom.
