ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion, Kade Ruotolo of the United States, extended his perfect MMA record to 4-0 at The Inner Circle on May 15.
Coming back from a one-year lay-off due to injury, the 23-year-old phenom returned like he never left by decimating Hiroyuki “Japanese Beast” Tetsuka of Japan via KO in round two at Lumpinee Stadium.
Ruotolo is known as one of the best submission grapplers in the world, with his first three wins all coming by way of submission. Against the heavy-handed Tetsuka, Ruotolo proved he has power in his strikes as well.
It was Ruotolo’s first career MMA knockout, and it didn’t happen by accident. The finish came off a deliberate sequence his team had drilled just minutes before the fight. After confusing Tetsuka with a deceptive feint, he unloaded a brutal right hand to the chin. “Japanese Beast” went limp on impact and was out before he even landed on the canvas.
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Speaking in his post-fight interview at The Inner Circle, Kade Ruotolo revealed the name of his technique:
“Yes, we actually did that right, like 30 seconds ago maybe, in the back room. We call that one the ‘Zanny,’ it’s a sleeper. We knew it was a lot of power shot behind that right hand after the fake, so I wasn’t sure if it was going to work for sure, and it worked. I’m glad.”
The Inner Circle on May 15 full results
All four fights at the Inner Circle last May 15 delivered non-stop action.
Anatoly Malykhin def. Oumar Kane via knockout (heavyweight MMA world championship)
Kade Ruotolo def. Hiroyuki Tetsuka via knockout (lightweight MMA)
Abdulla Dayakaev def. Superlek via split decision (bantamweight Muay Thai)
Mia Trevorrow def. Kokoz via unanimous decision (atomweight Muay Thai)
The Inner Circle replay is available for Inner Circle Superfan Club members at live.onefc.com.
Edited by Steffi