Kade Ruotolo continues to solidify his place in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history with a standout performance at the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). At just 21 years old, Kade has already achieved more than most athletes do in a lifetime, but his recent victory at the inaugural CJI is a new highlight in his remarkable career.

Kade’s decision to compete at the CJI wasn’t just another tournament choice—it was a calculated move that sent ripples through the BJJ community. Along with his twin brother, Tye, Kade made the bold decision to prioritize the CJI over the prestigious ADCC championships. This was no easy choice, as ADCC is known as the most prestigious no-gi tournament in the world, but the potential of the CJI was too significant to ignore.

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In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Kade explained the thought process behind this decision. “That was a super tough decision for my brother and I,” he said. “We were getting pulled between ADCC and that new CJI. So we were really kind of torn in both directions and made our decision to go with CJI.”

Kade highlighted several reasons for choosing the CJI, with the $1 million prize being a major factor. “There’s a couple of reasons [why we chose to go there], it didn’t narrow it down to one thing. My brother and I both made the decision together. There were a couple of things. First, not to state the obvious, $1 million is $1 million, [that’s] just so much money,” he shared. The financial incentive, combined with the opportunity to compete against some of the top names in the sport, made the CJI an appealing choice.

Another motivating factor was the chance for both Kade and Tye to compete in the same division but on opposite sides of the bracket. This setup allowed the possibility of the brothers meeting in the finals, which would have been an epic showdown. “I reckon my brother will be on one side of the bracket, I’ll be on the other ... so if all goes well, we’ll meet in the finals and have an awesome war there,” Kade added.

Kade’s choice to compete at the CJI over ADCC was also a statement about the changing landscape of competitive BJJ. “ADCC is the most prestigious no-gi tournament since they started,” he acknowledged, but he also noted that CJI’s $1 million prize and the growing interest from top competitors made it an attractive alternative. “I wouldn’t say that they’re in trouble, I would say they should probably try to listen to the athletes in a sense where you see a lot of these guys move to CJI,” Kade pointed out.

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His decision to prioritize the CJI paid off in a big way. Kade’s journey through the tournament showcased his skill and strategy, culminating in a dominant performance in the final. In his opening match, Kade secured a submission victory over Matheus Diniz with a modified heel hook, setting the tone for the rest of the event.

Kade’s path to the finals included a rematch with Tommy Langaker, whom he had already defeated twice in previous encounters. This time, Kade controlled the match from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision and advancing to the next round. The semifinal match against Andrew Tackett was a test of endurance and technique, with both athletes pushing their limits. Kade’s ability to maintain control and apply consistent pressure led to another decision victory, securing his place in the final.

In the final, Kade faced Levi-Jones Leary, who had eliminated Kade’s twin brother, Tye, earlier in the tournament. Kade’s focus and determination were evident as he dominated the match, using his top game to keep Leary on the defensive. When the final bell rang, Kade was crowned the champion, walking away with the grand prize of $1,000,000 and further establishing his reputation as one of the top competitors in the sport.

Whether competing in BJJ or MMA, Kade Ruotolo continues to set the standard for what it means to be a champion, and his future in both arenas looks brighter than ever. Looking ahead, we have ONE 168 to look forward to where Kade Ruotolo will take on Mikey "Darth Rigatoni" Musumeci. If you’re a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fan, those two names side-by-side should get you pumped for ONE 168 set to take place on September 6th, in Denver’s Ball Arena.