Kade Ruotolo is out of ONE Championship’s return to the United States. Due to an injury suffered during the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational, the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion withdrew from the event.
Mikey Musumeci will remain on the ONE 168: Denver card to defend his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship against Bebeto Oliveira in the evening’s co-main event matchup.
The two have already faced off in high-level competition before. In 2021, Musumeci defeated Oliveira by ankle lock in the quarterfinals of the IBJJF World Championships. However, three years have passed, and much has changed for both men.
Since then, Musumeci has ascended to the top of the sport and become a household name thanks to ONE’s global platform. At ONE Fight Night 10 last May, the Colorado audience cheered furiously for Musumeci in his title defense, showing how far the sport has come in a short span.
Meanwhile, Oliveira has succeeded in both gi and no-gi competitions and is the reigning IBJJF World Champion.
The latest title defense will be intriguing beyond just the typical rematch story. With Musumeci preparing intently for a shot at lightweight gold, his sudden shift to defend the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title is an exciting plot twist.
Oliveira enters with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and Musumeci’s risk-taking acceptance of the bout is also to be commended.
The submission grappling showdown keeps the sport represented on the huge card and is another exciting matchup for U.S. fans to enjoy.
ONE 168: Denver airs live on Friday, September 6, on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT to all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.