On Friday, April 5, Kade Ruotolo will get a new challenge. The ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion will not have his gold on the line but will meet Francisco Lo in a 180-pound catchweight submission grappling contest. The match will be a part of the ONE Fight Night 21 lineup on Prime Video.
Francisco Lo is All In for Clash Against Ruotolo in April
The Brazilian is not scared of Ruotolo’s impeccable submission game. Lo actually believes the two submission aces have similar styles. The aggressive match that he anticipates makes the 23-year-old excited for his ONE Championship debut.
“I think we have very similar styles because I also aggressively look for submissions. He is also aggressive, doesn’t like to tie up the fight, and is always looking for the submission. He likes to put on a show. I also like to put on a show, so I think it will be a great fight. I’m really looking forward to making this debut,” Lo told ONE.
Ruotolo has become one of the faces of submission grappling. His exciting style has led him to the top of the sport, culminating in winning the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title. Lo has been studying his opponent intently and sees why the American is tough to defeat.
“What makes [Ruotolo] so dangerous are the attacks he makes, always looking for the submission. I think this makes him very dangerous and different from other jiu-jitsu athletes,” Lo stated.
The aggression is one reason Ruotolo has been unbeaten on the global stage, at least according to Lo. The BJJ black belt understands that will be one of the biggest threats on April 5. However, he plans to match the intensity once the bell rings and give Ruotolo a taste of his own medicine.
“I believe in my game. I always look for the submission. I believe that my game will fit well with his game, and I believe I can submit him,” the Brazilian remarked.
Lo is still gunning for the finish on April 5. It is not cockiness from the Brazilian, but a self-belief that he can accomplish any feat in his ONE debut. If true to his word to be aggressive against Ruotolo, fans should be in for an incredible grappling showdown at ONE Fight Night 21.
“I think this fight will end with a submission from me. I believe we have a very similar game, but I can already imagine submitting him. I’m not going to say what the submission will be, but I already have it in mind, and I’m very excited, just waiting for the day of the fight to arrive,” Lo said.
ONE Fight Night 21 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, April 5. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.
