ONE Championship has unveiled two blockbuster lightweight MMA showdowns featuring wrestling phenom Tye Ruotolo and Japanese legend Shinya Aoki AN 173: Superbon vs. NoiriTye Ruotolo, the reigning Submission Grappling Welterweight World Champion, will make his second mixed martial arts appearance against undefeated Japanese fighter Shozo Isojima, while Aoki, a former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion, will take on compatriot Hiroyuki Tetsuka in what could be the 42-year-old legend’s historic event. 50th career win.
Tye Ruotolo seeks second MMA victory
The 22-year-old American wrestler returns to mixed martial arts competition following his spectacular victory over undefeated prospect Adrian Lee in September at ONE Fight Night 35. Tye Ruotolo earned a $50,000 performance bonus for his dominant performance, announcing his arrival as a legitimate MMA threat.
The California-based star has been perfect in ONE Championship career, compiling a 9-0 promotional record and picking up wins over elite submission grapplers like Garry Tonon, Marat Gafurov, Reinier de Ridder and Dante Leon. Tye Ruotolo captured the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling world title by defeating Russian Magomed Abdulkadirov in November 2023, establishing himself as one of the organization’s most dynamic talents.
Isojima, 28 years old, faces a huge challenge with his unblemished professional record of 6-0. The Japanese fighter also earned a $50,000 performance bonus in his ONE debut, proving he has a dangerous name in the lightweight division. It’s a battle between young lions to determine who will remain flawless in their MMA careers.
Shinya Aoki Eyes Historic 50th MMA Win
Alongside Tye Ruotolo, Japanese icon Aoki will look to make his presence felt as he pursues his 50th career win. The 42-year-old legend has amassed a remarkable professional record of 49-11, including 15 promotional wins and 13 finishes.
Aoki is widely regarded as one of the greatest submission specialists in mixed martial arts history, having captured the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship while competing against the sport’s best competitors during his storied career. The veteran has also competed in several submission wrestling matches, showcasing his world-class ground game in multiple competitive formats.
The former champion enters his all-Japanese lightweight bout against Tetsuka on a two-fight winning streak in MMA. Meanwhile, after a competitive career in the welterweight ranks, Tetsuka – a former Pancrase champion – moves down a weight class to settle his beef with ‘Tobikan Judan’.
Tye Ruotolo’s meteoric MMA rise continues in Tokyo
The American prodigy’s transition into mixed martial arts has been seamless, despite dominating the submission wrestling scene for years. Tye Ruotolo’s victory over Lee showcased not only his elite ground skills, but also his ability to adapt striking and ring control to his arsenal, suggesting a bright future in MMA.
Ruotolo’s willingness to face an undefeated opponent again in his second MMA fight demonstrates his confidence and ambition. The king of submission grappling looks to prove his successful debut was no fluke as he continues his perfect record in both submission grappling and mixed martial arts competitions.
ONE 173 takes place on Sunday, November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
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