‘This Isn’t Just Another Day In The Office’ – Tye Ruotolo Recalls Perfect MMA Debut At ONE Fight Night 35
Tye Ruotolo’s first step into mixed martial arts was always going to be one of the most anticipated moments of ONE Fight Night 35, and the 22-year-old delivered in emphatic fashion.
This past Friday, the reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion proved that his skill set translates seamlessly into the all-encompassing sport inside Bangkok, Thailand’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
Against previously unbeaten teenager Adrian “The Phenom” Lee, Ruotolo showcased both the sharpness of his evolving striking and the trademark ground dominance in their lightweight MMA showdown.
He said:
“Like I said, you know, this isn’t just another day in the office. It’s a whole new experience for me, so the fact that I got to come out on top and I’m not too hurt, and I’m just real happy and blessed, super grateful. Good day.”
Ruotolo imposed his pace with a mix of strikes and pressure before taking Lee’s back during a scramble in round two. Once there, he executed a rear-naked choke with trademark precision, finishing Lee with just 46 seconds left in the frame.
As a result, he walked out of Lumpinee Stadium not only with a spotless MMA debut but also a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The Californian also made it clear that he isn’t chasing volume in MMA but quality — with ambitions of a fast track to the belt while continuing to defend his grappling crown.
He said:
“I want to keep winning in MMA. I don’t care to have a whole bunch of fights.
“I don’t care to beat on guys that I know I can beat. I want to have a short road to the top. And, yeah, so whoever’s next, who’s going to get me to the belt, that’s what I want next. I want to keep defending my belt for jiu-jitsu at the same time.”
It was his ninth victory inside ONE, though unlike his previous eight submission grappling triumphs, this one carried a different weight.
As Ruotolo himself admitted, the MMA debut demanded new tools and composure under fire.
The victory, however, also highlighted the crispness of his striking. He credited the work put in alongside his twin brother Kade Ruotolo, who is already 3-0 in MMA, and under the guidance of coach Tyler Wombles, who left him feeling sharper than ever once the bright lights came on.
He explained:
“My brother, Kade, he had three MMA fights, and the striking started to get real crisp and sharp, better than mine, for sure. So I had to get competitive with him and make sure that he wasn’t too far ahead of me.
“And in the fight today, I just felt like I was just lasering across the whole bunch.”
Ruotolo Salutes Lee’s Grit After Grueling Battle
While Tye Ruotolo celebrated the perfect start to his MMA journey, he was quick to shine a light on the teenager who shared the ring with him at ONE Fight Night 35.
Adrian Lee, just 19 years old and already 3-0 in MMA before Friday night, pushed him hard in the early exchanges and showed the grit that runs deep in the famed Lee family.
The Hawaiian phenom even scrambled out of difficult positions and forced Ruotolo to work for every advance. But ultimately, the submission king’s pressure proved decisive.
Reflecting on the clash, Ruotolo assured that he held nothing but respect for his young foe:
“Absolute scrapper. Super formidable opponent, for sure. You know, he’s good everywhere. He’s got good striking, good grappling – and that’s why I called him out.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy match, and I’m just super stoked to be able to get the win. And I pray he’s alright, and he makes a fast recovery. I’m sure he’s got a bright career ahead of him, no matter what, for sure.”
That admiration extended to Lee’s refusal to give in until the very end. It left a strong impression on the Californian.
With the caliber both men have shown, Ruotolo wouldn’t be surprised if their paths crossed again in the future.
The ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion added:
“Who knows, you know? I think that Adrian has a bright career ahead of him, and that he’s an excellent MMA fighter for sure.
“You know he’s part of a sick family of fighters, and I know they’re samurais. He didn’t want to tap. He got slept. So I know that he’s got a lot of fight in his heart. I know for sure he’ll be back.”
