Tye Ruotolo has made history at ONE Championship’s The Inner Circle 37, submitting Christian Lee in the opening round to become the promotion’s lightweight MMA world champion.
The 23-year-old American grappling sensation needed just 2:08 to dethrone Lee at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, November 6. Ruotolo dropped the reigning champion with a sharp two-punch combination before overwhelming him with ground-and-pound and securing a rear-naked choke.
The victory marks a remarkable achievement for Ruotolo, who captured an MMA world title in only his third professional fight. He also became the first athlete in ONE Championship history to win world championships in both MMA and submission grappling.
Ruotolo, who already holds ONE’s welterweight submission grappling title, earned a $100,000 performance bonus for his historic showing.
Tye Ruotolo Dethrones Christian Lee With First-Round Submission
Lee entered the contest looking to avenge his younger brother Adrian Lee’s first professional defeat, which came against Ruotolo. The Singaporean-American champion also aimed to defend the lightweight belt he had held for four years while maintaining his status as a two-division ONE titleholder.
However, Ruotolo quickly turned the tables on the experienced MMA champion.
“The Warrior” initially utilized his striking, working behind his jab and mixing in low kicks. He even switched to a southpaw stance while attempting to disrupt the challenger. Ruotolo remained composed, maintaining his defensive guard and looking for an opening.
The decisive moment arrived when Ruotolo connected with a right hook followed by a powerful left hand that sent Lee crashing to the canvas.
The challenger immediately capitalized, transitioning into side control before advancing to mount and unleashing ground-and-pound. “The Warrior” attempted to escape the position, but the scramble left his back exposed.
Ruotolo wasted no time securing the rear-naked choke. Despite Lee’s brief resistance, the submission was locked in too tightly, forcing the champion to tap at 2:08 of the opening round.
The result marked only the second stoppage defeat of Lee’s professional career and his first in more than a decade.
Ruotolo’s professional MMA record improved to 3-0, with all three victories coming via rear-naked choke submissions under the ONE banner.
