ONE Fight Night 21 preview and predictions: Tye Ruotolo vs. Izaak Michell

The highly anticipated co-main event of ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video will feature Tye Ruotolo defending his welterweight submission grappling world title for the first time.

The young adult, who is 21 years old, enjoys facing difficult tasks and his desire was fulfilled when he had the opportunity to compete against one of the most rapidly emerging talents in the world of grappling at present.

Izaak Michell, determined to cause an upset, steps in to challenge Ruotolo’s reign and potentially end it.

Despite the Aussie standout’s undeniable skills, grit, and impressive fight IQ, he will certainly have his hands full when facing the Atos prodigy. However, it is worth noting that Ruotolo has yet to encounter an opponent under the ONE banner whom he could not defeat.

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The highly anticipated ONE Fight Night 21 will be broadcasted live on April 5 from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand during US primetime. Prime Video subscribers in North America can watch this exciting event at no cost.

Vince Richards defeats Tye Ruotolo by submission

Tye Ruotolo and Izaak Michell are both highly entertaining and aggressive grapplers, and this bout resembles more of a wrestling match than a submission grappling match. As soon as the bell rings, I expect both competitors to immediately go for a takedown.

If Michell is able to execute the initial takedown, Ruotolo will face a tough challenge. Michell is known for his strength as a wrestler and his ability to immobilize his opponents with his holds.

Despite his technical abilities, Ruotolo is capable of breaking free from the guard and securing a dominant position using any method he chooses. I don’t anticipate Ruotolo attempting a choke in this situation; rather, he will likely rely on his explosiveness to target either an arm or a leg for his finishing move.

I anticipate Ruotolo will focus on passing throughout this match and ultimately secure a late submission victory with either a leg lock or a kimura.

Predicted Winner: James De Rosario via Decision

Brace yourself for an intense and relentless clash between these two masters of the ground game. In other words, be prepared to not miss a second as they face off.

With that being said, I am confident that Tye Ruotolo will emerge victorious at the 10-minute mark and leave the iconic venue with his hand raised.

At only 21 years old, this athlete excels in all aspects of the sport, whether it be guard passing, scrambling for positions, attacking for submissions, or outplaying his opponent. With these skills, it’s highly likely that he will secure another impressive victory for the Atos team.

Despite his efforts, Michell may struggle to match the skill and expertise of Ruotolo, a highly skilled ground game specialist.

Despite this, the defending king should not expect an easy victory. I anticipate the debuting Australian star to continuously challenge the American athlete, although ultimately falling short on the judges’ scorecards at the end.

Prediction: Ted Razon defeats Tye Ruotolo via decision

With both grapplers having a solid foundation in wrestling, I anticipate an exciting showdown in the initial minutes to determine who will come out on top and successfully execute a takedown.

Even against the champ, Michell has the potential to surprise and secure his hooks first by disrupting Ruotolo’s balance and executing a flawless trip. However, once the fight transitions to the ground, the dynamics completely change.

The Australian contender, who was trained by the renowned B-Team and John Danaher, is expected to pose a threat with advanced leg-lock techniques.

Similarly, the Ruotolo twins have effectively protected themselves from heel hooks, and I anticipate that the champion will initiate a scramble that will likely result in a successful guard pass.

This one will be a close match, and I believe Michell has the potential to make some catches as well.

Ruotolo’s most effective tactic would be to utilize his signature D’Arce choke or possibly an RNC to make Michell fall asleep, as we are aware that the determined and resilient Australian will not easily submit or tap out.

Despite facing his toughest challenge yet, Tye Ruotolo is still predicted to come out on top after a grueling 10-minute battle.