Tye Ruotolo Confident He’ll Overwhelm Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 31

The MMA world is buzzing as we approach what could be one of the most technical grappling showcases of the year. Tye Ruotolo, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom, isn’t mincing words about his upcoming clash with Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O on May 2.

I’ve been following Ruotolo’s career closely, and let me tell you – his confidence heading into this match is something to behold.

Ruotolo’s Bold Prediction: “He Can’t Handle My Pressure”

At just 21 years old, Ruotolo has already established himself as one of the most formidable grapplers on the planet. The young submission specialist has been on an absolute tear in ONE Championship, collecting scalps and submission bonuses like they’re going out of style.

“Dante’s tough, I respect his game,” Ruotolo told me during an exclusive interview. “But there’s levels to this. When we lock up, he’s going to feel a pressure he’s never experienced before. My pace and intensity don’t match what he’s seen.”

This kind of unwavering self-belief isn’t unfounded. Ruotolo has backed up every word with spectacular performances, making him one of the most exciting grapplers to watch in submission-only formats.

A Stylistic Chess Match Made for Grappling Fans

What makes this matchup particularly mouth-watering is the stylistic clash we’re about to witness. Leon, a multiple-time IBJJF world champion in his own right, brings a calculated, methodical approach that has dismantled many aggressive opponents.

But Ruotolo isn’t concerned about Leon’s credentials or technical prowess.

“Everyone has a plan until they feel what I bring,” he said with a smirk. “The pace I’m going to set – he’ll be drowning by the halfway mark. And when guys start drowning against me, that’s when I find the finish.”

The Stakes: More Than Just Another Win

For Ruotolo, this match represents more than just adding another victory to his record. With each dominant performance in ONE Championship, he’s building a case for being considered the pound-for-pound best grappler on the planet.

Sources close to the organization have hinted that an impressive victory here could fast-track Ruotolo to even bigger opportunities – possibly including a championship bout in the near future.

The young grappler hasn’t been shy about his ultimate goals either: “I want all the smoke. After Leon, I’m looking at the top guys across all weight classes. Nobody’s safe.”

Will Leon Prove the Doubters Wrong?

While much of the talk has centered around Ruotolo’s confidence, it would be foolish to write off Leon. The Canadian grappler has faced and defeated world-class opposition throughout his career and possesses the technical acumen to potentially neutralize Ruotolo’s aggression.

Leon’s camp has remained relatively quiet in the lead-up, but this is often when he’s at his most dangerous – flying under the radar while meticulously preparing to spring the upset.

You can expect Leon to try to slow the pace, create scrambles on his terms, and potentially catch Ruotolo in transitions – areas where even the most dominant grapplers can find themselves vulnerable.

How to Watch This Grappling Showdown

ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O takes place on May 2 in U.S. primetime. The event will be available to stream free for Amazon Prime subscribers in the United States and Canada.

For hardcore grappling enthusiasts, this is an absolute can’t-miss matchup between two of the sport’s most elite practitioners. The technical chess match combined with Ruotolo’s promised high-pace pressure creates the perfect recipe for submission hunting at its finest.

My Prediction: Ruotolo’s Hand Gets Raised, But Not Easily

Having watched both men compete extensively, I’m leaning toward Ruotolo getting his hand raised – likely via submission in the latter half of the match. Leon will present problems early, but Ruotolo’s cardio and relentless attack rate simply overwhelm most opponents as matches progress.

That said, I’ve been wrong before, and Leon possesses exactly the kind of technical savvy that could potentially neutralize the Ruotolo storm. This is what makes this matchup so intriguing for true grappling aficionados.

Will Ruotolo back up his bold talk with another highlight-reel finish? Or will Leon silence the hype and establish himself as the man to beat? We’ll find out on May 2 when these two submission wizards lock horns in what promises to be a grappling masterclass.

Who are you picking in this elite matchup? Drop your predictions in the comments below!