ONE Championship: Tye Ruotolo open to Mikey Musumeci match, but admits ‘I prefer not to’
- Ruotolo will battle Magomed Abdulkadirov for inaugural welterweight grappling title at Saturday morning card in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium
- If he wins, American aims to prove he ‘can beat all the bigger guys’ so is reluctant to meet friend and flyweight champ Musumeci on the mats
Tye Ruotolo will finally have the opportunity to compete for a ONE Championship grappling title this Saturday – but calls for a mouthwatering match-up with Mikey Musumeci still persist.
The rising American star will take on Russia’s Magomed Abdulkadirov in the co-main event of the ONE Fight Night 16 card in Bangkok’s famed Lumpinee Stadium, with the inaugural welterweight submission grappling title on the line.
It is an opportunity he has desired since he arrived in ONE early last year, particularly after watching twin brother Kade Ruotolo win and defend the martial arts promotion’s lightweight grappling belt.
“I thought I was going to have to go and grab that one from [Kade],” Ruotolo told the Post with a laugh ahead of his battle with Abdulkadirov. “I’m feeling great. I’m super confident and ready for war.”
Abdulkadirov will be making his debut in ONE, and despite some impressive accolades, is considered a big underdog ahead of time, leaving fans hoping to see Ruotolo tackle someone at his exceptional level in the form of flyweight champ Musumeci.
He is open to that fan friendly clash, but it is not his first choice, as he considers Musumeci a friend – and does not want to be perceived as benefiting from a size advantage.
