Kade Ruotolo has been on a history-making run since 2022, but fast-moving Norwegian Tommy Langaker is looking to put a stop to it at ONE Fight Night 11. The two grapplers will meet inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, June 9. Thanks to ONE Championship’s global rule set, Langaker anticipates an all-out sprint for the finish.
Langaker on Ruotolo Fight: “…its going to be tense…”
“I think it’s going to be tense in the beginning. I think it’s going to be a little bit of feeling out, but immediately as somebody reacts, it’s going to be a very high pace. And I think it’s going to be a very beautiful jiu-jitsu match,” Langaker told ONE.
Defeating Ruotolo is something there is no current blueprint for in competition. The Southern Californian breezed through the ADCC tournament to become the youngest World Champion ever and then kept his ONE record perfect while claiming the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship. However, Langaker is not phased by his current string of success.
Langaker is confident in his own abilities. The talented 29-year-old is looking for areas where he will have the advantage over his 20-year-old foe. That is where scrambles will become vital to his success.
“I think my advantages are that I thrive in those scrambles. I love when the scramble comes, and I think I have a different understanding of how the scramble and the leg pummel work, as I’ve been doing crab rides for so long. I enjoy working hooks and utilizing these different positions, and I feel that’s going to be my biggest strength,” the Norwegian said.
But Langaker will not allow himself to get tunnel vision inside the ring. While he will be aggressive, he will only take what Ruotolo gives him. From there, Langaker will seek the finish.
“I’ll fight in any position. I’ll take what I have. I’ll see how he reacts, and then I go from there. If he gives me his leg, I’ll take his leg. If he gives me his back, I’ll take the back,” Langaker said.
Although Langaker is gunning for the gold, he is grateful for the opportunity afforded him on this event. It is another prominent spot for the world of submission grappling, and the Norwegian is thrilled with how the sport is growing with ONE’s support. It is making his bid to become the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion and the face of the sport even more important.
“ONE is changing it by putting us on a very professional platform with other various martial arts. They’re showing that they trust us and put trust in their athletes. They’re paying us well and giving us bonuses if we’re doing entertaining fights. Giving us good exposure. It’s changing the scene of what a professional jiu-jitsu athlete is,” Langaker stated.
ONE Fight Night 11 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, June 9. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime members.
