Grappling Champ Targets Head-Kick Knockout at ONE 173

The Tenore representative acknowledged the legitimate threat posed by his undefeated opponent while expressing genuine excitement about competing inside the Circle for the first time in his MMA career.

“Shozo Isojima is another formidable opponent. He’s undefeated, too. I’m excited for it. I haven’t fought in the Circle yet [in MMA], so I’m excited for it,” Ruotolo said.

The BJJ prodigy has compiled a perfect 9-0 record in ONE Championship with 5 finishes since joining the promotion in May 2022. The twin brother of ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo has conquered multiple weight classes while proving himself as arguably the best pound-for-pound grappler on the planet, capturing the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title in November 2023.

Isojima brings impressive credentials into this lightweight clash, having recently dominated Argentine veteran Nicolas Vigna with a rear-naked choke submission in October to secure his sixth consecutive professional victory.

American Star Ruotolo Eyes Spectacular Head-Kick Finish

Ruotolo provided a bold prediction for his second MMA fight, expressing confidence in his developing striking abilities while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of MMA competition. The American grappler’s willingness to pursue striking finishes demonstrates his commitment to becoming a complete MMA fighter.

“Maybe we can do a sick head-kick KO. That would be awesome. If I had to call it, I really think something like that could come. If not, who knows where the match might take us,” Ruotolo predicted.

The ambitious forecast suggests Ruotolo has invested significant time into developing his stand-up arsenal beyond the elite grappling skills that made him a world champion. His successful MMA debut against Lee showcased his ability to blend striking and grappling seamlessly, ultimately securing a submission finish against the highly touted prospect.

Grappling Champion Ruotolo Identifies Isojima’s Weaknesses

Ruotolo shared his assessment of the 28-year-old’s fighting style, identifying specific strengths in isometric control while noting potential weaknesses when exchanges become chaotic. The Californian’s detailed breakdown demonstrates his analytical approach to fight preparation.

“He looked like he had some strength to him. He’s got some isometric strength. It seems like he’s comfortable when he’s holding guys up. But when he’s in a firefight, it seems like he kind of shies away from it a little bit,” Ruotolo said.

The evaluation suggests Ruotolo plans to pressure the Japanese ace into uncomfortable striking exchanges while remaining prepared to capitalize on grappling opportunities. His transition from pure submission grappling to MMA has been seamless thus far, though Isojima represents a significant test of his continued development.

In the United States and Canada, you can watch ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri live on pay-per-view exclusively on live.onefc.com at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 15.