Brazilian jiu-jitsu IBJJF 2024 World Champion Bebeto Oliveira has stepped up to challenge Mikey Musumeci for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE 168: Denver. The change comes after lightweight champion Kade Ruotolo was forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained during his recent $1 million victory at the Craig Jones Invitational.
Considering the steep value of Ruotolo’s contract and lukewarm ticket sales, ONE FC might be getting a win here considering Oliveira has very little social media presence and doesn’t even have a BJJ Heroes page.
Kade Ruotolo shared that he and his brother earn over $100,000 per match in ONE Championship, making it an obvious choice over other promotions. A decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, Ruotolo has maintained an undefeated record in the promotion’s grappling events, showcasing his elite skills.
Set for September 6 at Ball Arena, the event will now feature Musumeci defending his title against a formidable opponent on short notice.
This isn’t the first encounter between Musumeci and Oliveira. The two previously met in the quarterfinals of the 2021 IBJJF World Championships, where Musumeci emerged victorious with his signature ankle lock submission. However, Oliveira has shown significant improvement since then, securing wins over notable champions such as Edwin “Junny” Ocasio, Paulo Miyao, and Thalison Soares.
Musumeci has been on a winning streak since 2021. He recently delivered a dominant performance against Gabriel Sousa. The American grappler had been preparing to move up three weight classes to face Ruotolo, but now faces a different challenge in defending his flyweight title.
For Oliveira, this last-minute opportunity represents a chance at redemption and a shot to improve his brand recognition.
