ONE Championship: Superbon return in the works, Kade Ruotolo vs Tommy Langaker grappling title fight set
- Ruotolo will defend his lightweight belt in the first bout announced for June 9’s event in Bangkok, Thailand
- Superbon vs Tayfun Ozcan kickboxing fight also in the works per ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong, but exact date is unclear
Kade Ruotolo will defend his lightweight grappling belt against Tommy Langaker at ONE Championship Fight Night 11, with CEO Chatri Sityodtong teasing the return of former kickboxing king Superbon – possibly for the same card.
ONE officials confirmed the booking to the Post following a report from combat sports news website MMA Mania.
It is the first bout to be added to the June 9 event, which will take place at Bangkok, Thailand’s famed Lumpinee Stadium, per the promotion’s official website.
Ruotolo, 19, debuted in ONE last May, alongside his twin brother Tye. The American won his debut, defeating Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki by decision in a 12-minute grappling match.
In his next bout, in October, he defeated Russian sambo specialist Uali Kurzhev with a heel hook to claim ONE’s inaugural lightweight submission grappling title.
His most recent bout occurred in December when he defended his belt with a decision win over fellow Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Matheus Gabriel.
Ruotolo’s opponent Langaker is also unbeaten in ONE. The Norwegian, also an decorated BJJ black belt, debuted with a decision win over highly regarded Brazilian Renato Canuto last August, and this past February, asserted himself as the next man in line for a title shot with a quick heel hook submission of Kurzhev.
