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There is nothing but love and respect between reigning ONE submission grappling world champions Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo.
In a blockbuster announcement made by the promotion, Musumeci will move up three weight classes to challenge Ruotolo for the ONE lightweight submission grappling world championship on September 6 at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado.
If Musumeci wins, he will become ONE Championship's first-ever two-division grappling champion holding the flyweight submission grappling belt — which he already owns — and the lightweight title currently residing with Ruotolo.
"You guys asked for it, you got it. Me vs Mikey for the lightweight belt @onechampionship this September in Denver," Ruotolo wrote on Instagram.
Musumeci responded to Ruotolo's post, admitting that even though they're going against one another, he still wants to root for the Atos Jiu-Jitsu product.
"You’re a legend bro! Truly an honor to have the opportunity to have a match with you," Musumeci replied in the comments section. Still want to root for you against me HAHAHA natty world championship let’s go!!!"
@mikeymusumeci maximum respect legend," Ruotolo wrote in response. Natty scraps all day. Thank you for the match."
Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo ride into ONE 168 with matching undefeated records
Not only will it be the first time that two ONE submission grappling champs square off against one another, but it'll also be the first meeting between two of BJJ's most accomplished practitioners.
Under the ONE banner, Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo are a perfect 12-0 combined, with six submission victories between them. Ruotolo has earned notable wins over Uali Kurzhev and Matheus Gabriel and back-to-back unanimous decisions over Tommy Langaker. Most recently, he dispatched Francisco Lo in less than five minutes at ONE Fight Night 21.
Meanwhile, Musumeci has stayed busy tapping out his last three opponents inside the Circle. 'Darth Rigatoni' put away Osamah Almarwa, Jarred Brooks, and Shinya Aoki, proving that size truly doesn't matter in the art of jiu-jitsu.
Who leaves ONE 168 with the lightweight submission grappling world championship and ultimate bragging rights on Friday, September 6?
