Championship defenses matter greater than excellent MMA information. Tye Ruotolo returns to his grappling roots after two consecutive MMA victories.
The American phenom showcased his 4-ounce glove abilities in opposition to Adrian Lee and Shozo Isojima this previous fall. He completed each undefeated opponents by way of rear-naked choke. However defending the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title represents his core mission. He faces Polish challenger Pawel Jaworski at ONE Struggle Evening 41 on Friday, March 13, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, airing dwell on Prime Video.
The 22-year-old California native captured the inaugural welterweight submission grappling crown at ONE Struggle Evening 16 in November 2023. Ruotolo dominated Russia’s Magomed Abdulkadirov by way of unanimous determination throughout 10 minutes of technical excellence to assert the 26 kilos of gold.
His championship reign has showcased artistic brilliance. An progressive head-and-arm choke variation later dubbed the “Ruotolo-tine” completed Izaak Michell at ONE Struggle Evening 21 in April 2024. Then got here textbook jiu-jitsu in opposition to Jozef Chen at ONE Struggle Evening 23, adopted by suffocating high strain neutralizing Dante Leon’s harmful guard to retain his title at ONE Struggle Evening 31.
Pawel Jaworski brings elite credentials to ONE Championship debut
The Polish phenom Pawel Jaworski tore via Europe’s grappling scene with ruthless effectivity throughout his first 12 months as a black belt. Jaworski captured the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship at 85 kilograms final December, cementing his standing as one of many sport’s brightest younger abilities.
Double gold on the IBJJF No-Gi Euros adopted, with the 21-year-old successful each his weight class and absolutely the division. His submission prowess stayed on full show all through the event, ending seven of 9 opponents. The Academia Gorila affiliate holds notable victories over revered BJJ veterans PJ Barch and Devhonte Johnson.
His submission-first method and devastating leg-lock experience make him a harmful puzzle for any opponent. That aggressive type matches completely in opposition to Ruotolo’s chaotic scrambling capacity and relentless ending instincts. March 13 determines who stands atop the welterweight submission grappling world.
