Kade Ruotolo

Early Life and Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu

Born in Hawaii in January 2003, Kade Ruotolo relocated to Huntington Beach, California, during infancy. Raised in a family deeply passionate about grappling, Kade began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at Cleber Luciano's academy in the mid-2000s. His competitive career started exceptionally early, entering his first competition at just three years old in 2006. Under the mentorship of his father, an experienced grappler, and instructor Cleber Luciano, Kade quickly emerged as one of the sport's earliest child prodigies alongside his twin brother, Tye Ruotolo.

Training Evolution: From AOJ to Atos Headquarters

After gaining initial recognition, Kade and his brother joined the Art Of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) academy, training intensively under renowned instructors Guilherme Mendes and Rafael Mendes for nearly four years. In mid-2017, the Ruotolo twins transitioned to Atos Headquarters Academy in San Diego, California. At Atos, Kade refined his technical skills and strategic approach under the guidance of André Galvão, who oversaw his progression from green belt to his black belt promotion on December 14, 2021.

Transition to Professional MMA

Expanding his competitive horizons, Kade Ruotolo made his professional MMA debut at ONE Championship in mid-2024, securing a decisive first-round victory. He continued his momentum with subsequent first-round finishes at ONE 169 on November 8, 2024, and ONE 171 on February 20, 2025, improving his professional MMA record to 3-0. Kade has openly stated that experiencing strikes in MMA competition provided him with newfound confidence, making pure jiu-jitsu competition feel comparatively easier.

Adaptation of Grappling Style for MMA

In preparation for his MMA career, Kade strategically adapted his grappling style, known for its high-risk scrambles and aggressive submission attacks. He became more cautious about avoiding bottom positions and refrained from attempting submissions that could compromise dominant top control. Despite these tactical adjustments, Kade maintained his trademark aggression, consistently hunting for his favored D'Arce chokes and other submission finishes whenever opportunities presented themselves.

"Mats & Ocean" Lifestyle and Training Philosophy

Outside of competition, Kade Ruotolo embraces a balanced lifestyle alongside his twin brother, Tye, combining rigorous jiu-jitsu training with surfing and skating. They limit their jiu-jitsu sessions to approximately four days per week, dedicating the remaining three days to active recovery methods such as foundation training, cryotherapy, and acupuncture. An avid surfer, Kade believes surfing complements his jiu-jitsu by enhancing balance, resilience, and mental toughness. His perspective on fear and resilience was notably shaped by a near-death surfing experience in Costa Rica, where he realized that unlike grappling, there is "no tapping" in the ocean. This profound realization significantly influenced his mental approach to competition.

Views on PED Use in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Kade Ruotolo has openly expressed a firm stance against the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has publicly discussed ethical considerations, emphasizing the importance of fairness, integrity, and clean competition within the sport.

Significant Career Decisions and Competitive Shifts

In a notable career decision, Kade Ruotolo withdrew from ADCC 2024 to compete in the under 80kg division at the Craig Jones Invitational alongside his brother, Tye. This strategic shift marked a significant change in their competitive trajectory, highlighting their pursuit of new challenges and opportunities within the sport. Additionally, Kade has openly discussed the financial aspects of competing at the highest levels of BJJ, including his notable million-dollar prize victory at the Craig Jones Invitational.

Notable Encounter with Boxer Ryan Garcia

Kade Ruotolo gained media attention after revealing an incident in which he nearly engaged in a physical altercation with elite boxer Ryan Garcia. Although the situation ultimately cooled without escalation, the encounter became a notable topic of discussion within combat sports circles.