Kade Ruotolo - The Youngest ADCC Champion Ever

1. Kade Ruotolo’s Details

2. Kade Ruotolo’s Biography

Kade Ruotolo is a BJJ Black Belt under Andre Galvao, who is a 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt and known as the King of Grappling. Kade is now associated with Atos Jiu-Jitsu. He is the youngest ADCC Champion.

2.1. Kade Ruotolo’s Early Life

Kade Ruotolo was born on 22 January 2003 in Maui, a state of Hawaii, USA.

Moved to California

When he was an infant, his family moved to Huntington Beach in California and settled there.

Enrolled in BJJ School

As his parents had the experience learning BJJ, they also wanted their sons to learn this gentle art. So, they enrolled Kade and his twin brother Tye in Cleber Luciano’s BJJ school.

Kade Ruotolo’s First Competition

Kade’s first BJJ competition was at the age of 3 in 2006.

Earned RVCA Scholarship

With the assistance of his father’s guidance and in the training of elite grapplers, Luciano, Kade, and his brother attained success and a name in the sport. They were even called “Grappling First Child Stars”.

Because of his early success, he earned a sponsorship with one of the top lifestyle brands (RVCA) when he was only 10 years old.

Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy

The fame of Ruotolo’s brother took them to the most famous academy, the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy (AOJ). AOJ was led by Guilherme and Rafael Mendes. Kade remained there for almost 4 years.

Moved to Atos Academy

In the mid of 2017, Kade moved to Atos Headquarters Academy located in San Diego. In 2017, Atos Academy was affiliated with AOJ, and later on, it was changed to an autonomous authority. At Atos HQ, Kade’s finances were taken care of by Andre Galvao.

2.2. Kade Ruotolo’s Pro BJJ Combats

Promoted to Black Belt

Andre Galvao awarded him with a colored as well as a Black Belt. Andre Galvao awarded him with the Blue Belt on 5 April 2018 when he was 15 years old.

Kade received his Purple Belt on 27 December 2019 at the age of 16.

He received the Brown Belt on 19 October 2020 at the age of 17.

Finally, he was promoted to Black Belt by Andre Galvao on 14 December 2021 when he was 18 years old.

2 Times IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion

Kade Ruotolo won the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship twice when he was a Brown Belt in 2019 and 2021.

The Youngest ADCC Champion

He won the 2022 ADCC Championship in the 77 Kg weight division. He is called the youngest ADCC Champion because he is only 19 years old.

IBJJF Pan Champion

He secured the 1st position in the IBJJF Pan Championship in 2019.

IBJJF European Open

In 2019, he became the IBJJF European Open Champion in the absolute weight category.

2.3. Kade Ruotolo’s Historic Fights

Kade Ruotolo Vs. Mica Galvao

Kade is known as the most excellent grappler in the world. The fight between Kade and Mica Galvao was an intense one. Mica is also a submission grappler and a BJJ Black Belt.

Mica applied his brutal takedown but due to his strong balance of Kade, he escaped from it by spinning out. Kade gains the top position. Kade tried to apply the Darce Choke but Mica did not let him.

Kade, who is famous for his foot-stomp passing, used this technique to attack. Kade then lifted Mica. Kade was dynamic with passing counters and back takes. Kade submitted Mica in 8 minutes and 10 seconds by applying the submission of an Inside Heel Hook and Mica quickly tapped out.

Kade Ruotolo Vs. Uali Kurzhev

Uali tried to throw Kade off of his back but Kade pinned him to the ground. He tried to apply the choke but Uali had a complete grip on Kade’s hand.

Kade tried to apply the Rear Naked Choke but Uali’s defense was very strong so Kade could not finish the choke. Even the Darce Choke was an epic failure as Uali grabbed Kade’s hand.

 Kade then submitted Uali by applying the inside Heel Hook. He won the match against Uali Kurzhev in just 4 minutes and 29 seconds. Kade became the first ever ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

Kade Ruotolo Vs. Roberto Jimenez

Roberto tried to takedown Kade but he balanced himself with his one hand on the ground and did not let Roberto score any points.

Roberto took his arm behind Kade and turned the position around. Kade applied the Inside Heel Hook and submitted Roberto in just 2 minutes and 29 seconds.

Kade Ruotolo Vs. PJ Barch

Throughout the match, Kade tried to grab PJ but his grappling game was very fluid and balanced. He quickly released himself from the grips of Kade.

PJ tried to takedown Kade but could not do so because of his strong balance of Kade. During the match, PJ many times tried to initiate takedowns or to submit Kade by the heel hook, but Kde applied an Armbar and PJ Barch tapped out.

Kade Ruotolo Vs. Gabriel Sousa

The fighting style of Sousa was very aggressive and explosive. Kade took Sousa out of the mat very fast. He again took Sousa down by applying the takedown.

Kade Ruotolo won the match by submitting Gabriel Sousa by Darce Choke. He submitted Sousa in 10 minutes and 30 seconds.

2.4. Kade Ruotolo’s Championships

National

Year	National Championship	Position	Belt
2014	IBJJF Kids American National	1st	White
2015	IBJJF Kids American National	1st	White

International

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2019	IBJJF World Championship	Purple	1st
2021	AJP Grand Slam, RJ	Brown	1st
2019	IBJJF Pan Championship	Purple	1st
2022	ADCC	Black	1st
2019	IBJJF Pan Championship	Purple	3rd
2021	WNO Championship	Brown	1st

Record

• GrappleFest 70KG Belt Holder (2020)
• One FC 170 lb Grappling Title Holder (2022)
• EBI Combat Jiu-Jitsu Champion (2020)
• ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion (2022)

3. Kade Ruotolo’s Main Achievements (Belts)

3.1. Colored Belts

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2018	IBJJF American Nationals NoGi	Blue	1st
2019	IBJJF World Championship	Purple	1st
2021	IBJJF World Championship	Brown	1st
2019	IBJJF Pan Championship	Purple	3rd

3.2. Juvenile Belts

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2010	IBJJF Pan Kids Championship	White	1st
2014	IBJJF World Championship NoGi	White	1st
2015	IBJJF Pan Championship NoGi	White	1st
2017	IBJJF World Championship	White	1st
2014	IBJJF Kids American National	White	1st
2015	IBJJF Kids American National	White	1st
2014	IBJJF Kids International Championship	White	1st
2016	IBJJF Kids International Championship	White	1st

4. Kade Ruotolo’s Professional Record Breakdown

30 Matches	27 Wins	3 Losses
By Submissions	13	2
By Points	4	1
By Advantages	1	0
By Decision	9	0
By Penalties	0	0
By DQ	0	0

4.1. Submission W/L Methods

Submission Method	13 Wins	2 Losses
Darce Choke	6	0
Armbar	2	0
Arm in RNC	1	0
Inside Heel Hook	3	0
Buggy Choke	1	0
Short Choke	0	1
RNC	0	1

5. Kade Ruotolo’s Current Activities

After defeating Uali Kurzhev with submission by Inside Heel Hook, Kade Ruotolo became the first ever ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion. He is continuously improving himself and aims to get more titles.

6. Kade Ruotolo’s Courses

These Courses were recorded by both Ruotolo Brothers, Kade and Tye.

• Leg Lock Land Mines: Attacking & Counter Attacking
• Upper Body Submission Assault
• The Leg Pin Passing System
• Darces From Everywhere
• Scientifically Shutting Down Modern Leg Attacks

7. Kade Ruotolo’s Fight History

8. Kade Ruotolo’s Top Fight Links

Photo credit: @ruotolobrothersjiujitsu