Tye Ruotolo made a statement in his professional mixed martial arts debut at ONE FN 35 in Bangkok, submitting the previously undefeated Adrian Lee with a RNC in the second round. The 22-year-old ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling Champion showcased his well-rounded skill set, earning a dominant victory and a $50,000 performance bonus in the process.
The bout began with Ruotolo establishing his grappling dominance early, securing a bodylock takedown and controlling Lee from top position. The younger Lee, at just 19 years old and entering with a perfect 3-0 record, showed his defensive acumen by attempting a triangle choke and landing strikes from the bottom. Both competitors exchanged strikes on the feet as the opening round concluded, setting the stage for an exciting second frame.
Round two saw Ruotolo display his striking improvements, working behind crisp jabs and high kicks before scoring another takedown. Once on the ground, the submission specialist methodically worked his way into dominant positions, achieving mount multiple times and threatening with an armbar attempt. Lee demonstrated remarkable heart and technique, escaping full mount and briefly getting back to his feet.
However, Ruotolo‘s relentless pressure eventually paid dividends. After bloodying Lee‘s nose with precise ground strikes, he transitioned to Lee‘s back following a restart due to the ropes. Now this here was slightly controversial, the way the referee reset them made it easier for Ruotolo to submit albeit likely not on purpose. With his signature patience and technique, Ruotolo locked in the rear-naked choke, gradually tightening his grip until Lee was forced to tap at 4:14 of the second round.
“The plan was to finish him as quick as possible but he’s so tough,”
Ruotolo said in his post-bout interview.
“It didn’t happen, took me into the second round. It’s good to get some more experience.”
The victory marked Lee‘s first professional loss, ending his perfect start to his MMA career. Despite the setback, Ruotolo showed tremendous respect for his opponent, stating,
“Adrian, you’re a legend bro, you got a great future… no one lost tonight.”
Ruotolo‘s successful transition from submission grappling to MMA showcased not only his elite ground game but also his improved striking arsenal. His ability to mix takedowns with stand-up striking, combined with his championship-level grappling, suggests a bright future in mixed martial arts.
