ONE Championship has announced that reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo will defend his belt against rising Polish star Pawel Jaworski at ONE Fight Night 41 on Friday, March 13, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 22-year-old American champion brings a perfect 10-0 promotional record with six finishes into this 10-minute title defense, having dominated both submission grappling and mixed martial arts competition since his spectacular 2022 debut.
Tye Ruotolo will face his toughest test yet against the 21-year-old Jaworski, who arrives as the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Title gold medalist and double gold winner at the IBJJF No-Gi Euros.
Tye Ruotolo Returns to Grappling After Successful MMA Run
The California native compiled an extraordinary promotional resume featuring eight consecutive submission grappling victories and two MMA wins, establishing himself as one of combat sports’ most versatile young competitors. Tye Ruotolo’s twin brother, Kade, holds the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title and also competes in MMA, making the siblings the sport’s most dominant fraternal duo.
Tye Ruotolo’s impressive guard passing and relentless submission attacks have overwhelmed world-class opposition throughout his rule over the division. His November 2023 title victory over Magomed Abdulkadirov came after defeating Marat Gafurov, Reinier de Ridder, and Dagi Arslanaliev to earn the inaugural World Title opportunity. The American has successfully defended his crown twice against top-tier challengers, proving his dominance extends beyond capturing gold.
His promotional debut remains one of ONE Championship’s most memorable performances as he submitted American grappling icon Garry Tonon in 97 seconds back in May 2022, immediately establishing himself as a contender.
Dual-Sport Superstar Caps Impressive 2025 with MMA Submissions
Tye Ruotolo’s highly anticipated MMA debut in September 2025 saw him submit teenage prodigy Adrian “The Phenom” Lee in the second round, showcasing his ability to translate grappling mastery into mixed martial arts success. He capped his year with another submission victory in November.
The champion’s ability to seamlessly transition between submission grappling and MMA highlights his exceptional martial arts foundation and competitive versatility. His return to grappling allows him to focus exclusively on defending his welterweight crown while maintaining momentum heading into 2026.
Aiming to open the year with a statement, Ruotolo faces a dangerous challenger who represents Europe’s next generation of submission grappling talent.
Polish Sensation Brings Red-Hot Form to Title Challenge
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt arrives as one of Europe’s most dangerous submission grapplers following his dominant 2025 campaign. Jaworski’s IBJJF No-Gi World Championship victory established his credentials against the sport’s best competitors, while his double gold performance at the IBJJF No-Gi Euros demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the year.
At just 21 years old, the Polish challenger represents the next generation of European grappling talent seeking to establish themselves on the global stage. His recent form and skill set make him a legitimate threat despite facing the pound-for-pound best welterweight submission grappler in his promotional debut.
The clash between Ruotolo’s relentless submission hunting and Jaworski’s skills promises compelling action, as two of the sport’s brightest young talents compete for title supremacy.
ONE Fight Night 41 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, March 13. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
