Kade Ruotolo vs. Mikey Musumeci. If you’re a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fan, those names alone should get you pumped for ONE 168. On September 6th, in Denver’s Ball Arena, these two fighters will face off in a co-main event that promises to be nothing short of electrifying.

Since stepping into the ONE Championship Circle, both Ruotolo and Musumeci have been unstoppable. Kade, the ONE lightweight submission grappling world champ, has racked up a flawless 7-0 record, steamrolling his way through tough opponents like Tommy Langaker and Francisco Lo. His aggressive style has made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for anyone who faces him. Ruotolo also impressed in his mixed martial arts debut in June, earning a first-round submission victory over Blake Cooper at ONE 167. Ruotolo tends to do his best work from the top position, where he is an elite guard passer but is often willing to explore different positions or even risk losing a dominant position in favor of chasing the finish.

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He told onefc.com that his well-rounded skill set could make the difference against “Darth Rigatoni”:

“I think one thing that favors me in the matchup is that I feel like I have a lot of different routes to victory, whether it’s going for the back or sticking to my passing.”

At just 21 years old, Kade has already achieved more than most athletes do in a lifetime, but his recent victory at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) is a new highlight in his remarkable career, with Kade winning a historic $1 million cash prize that night.

On the other side, you have Mikey "Darth Rigatoni" Musumeci, the flyweight submission grappling king, who’s equally undefeated with a 7-0 streak of his own. Mikey’s game is all about precision and control, a sharp contrast to Kade’s all-out assault. Musumeci is perhaps our world's best guard player, equally capable of attacking traditional submissions from his closed guard as he is going after modern leg locks from the open guard. But don’t let his calm demeanor fool you – Musumeci’s is a force to be feared, as opponents like Shinya Aoki and Gabriel Sousa have painfully learned. Like Ruotolo, Mikey carries a perfect record with him into ONE 168: Denver, besting all seven of his opponents, including interim ONE strawweight MMA world champion Jarred Brooks, Japanese icon Shinya Aoki, and long-time rival Gabriel Sousa.

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For Kade, this match isn’t just another title defense; it’s a dream come true. “I remember watching him at black belt finals as a child with my brother. And now we’re having a match. So, it’s pretty crazy," Ruotolo said, reflecting on the surreal nature of this bout. There’s a sense of mutual respect here, but once that cage door closes, it’s all business.

“It’s going to be a true clash of technique," Ruotolo told Sports Illustrated. "There will be constant submission attempts. We’re stoked – it’s going to be a great one for the fans.”

With two unbeaten records on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Kade’s relentless pace and endless submission attempts wear down Musumeci? Or will Mikey’s technical brilliance and patience pay off, making him ONE’s first-ever two-division submission grappling world champion?

Whichever way it goes, one thing’s for sure: fans are in for a treat. As the night of September 6th approaches, the excitement is building, and both fighters are ready to put on a show that Denver won’t soon forget.