Tye Ruotolo taps out Marat Gafurov, wins 50K, and calls out Reinier de Ridder

Tye Ruotolo scored his second win inside the circle on the ONE on Prime Video 5 lead card Friday night. Squaring off with MMA icon and former ONE featherweight world champion Marat Gafurov in a 10-minute submission grappling match, Ruotolo was able to get the job done just past the halfway mark of the match.

Catching Gafurov in a triangle choke, Ruotolo was able to grab ahold of Gafurov’s arm and score the tap out by way of a wrist lock and armbar hybrid. The official finish ruled it an armbar.

It was another impressive performance by the 19-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) prodigy. Following his victory, Ruotolo told Mitch Chilson inside the circle that he wants to test his skills next against the reigning two-division world champion, Reinier de Ridder:

“The true essence of jiu-jitsu is being able to beat the bigger guy no matter what, with pure technique, and I’ve seen Reinier de Ridder say that he’s gonna sub anyone in the world. I definitely want to test that.”

Tye Ruotolo continued, saying:

“He's got his hands full tonight with Mr. Anatoly Malykhin, but yeah I would love to get a jiu-jitsu match with Reinier. He’s a bit taller, but I think can definitely sub him. Let’s do it.”

Ruotolo also earned a $50,000 bonus from ONE founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his spectacular performance at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, his second overall bonus.

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Kade and Tye Ruotolo are taking over the world of submission grappling

Signed with ONE Championship in early 2022, Tye Ruotolo and his brother Kade Ruotolo have quickly become two of the biggest names in the world of submission grappling. Making their debuts on the same night back in May, Tye Ruoto scored a brilliant submission victory over ‘The Lion Killer’ Garry Tonon just 82 seconds into their contest.

Kade Ruotolo delivered an impressive performance as well, besting Asian MMA legend Shinya Aoki via decision. Since then, Kade Ruotolo has gone on to become the youngest ADCC World Champion in September. A month later, he made history once again by becoming the first-ever ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion.

Together, the Ruotolo brothers have simultaneously dominated the sport while bringing some much-needed attention to the art form with the help of ONE Championship, which has provided these athletes with a global platform for the first time.

At just 19 years old, this is merely the beginning of what is sure to become two legendary careers.