Shozo Isojima will defend his undefeated record against ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE 173, pitting two fighters with perfect records against each other.
The November 16 showdown at Ariake Arena in Tokyo represents the next step for both fighters as they navigate their mixed martial arts careers. Isojima brings a 6-0 record built almost entirely in Japan since turning professional in 2023, while Ruotolo enters with a 1-0 mark after transitioning from his dominant submission grappling career.
Isojima earned his ONE Championship contract with an emphatic promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 36 earlier this month, stopping Nicolas Vigna with ground strikes in the second round. The performance earned the 28-year-old Japanese fighter a $50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong and showcased the finishing ability that has defined his professional career.
The victory demonstrated Isojima's versatility as a mixed martial artist capable of threatening opponents both standing and on the ground. Fighting before his home crowd provides additional motivation as he seeks to build on the momentum from his successful debut and establish himself within the lightweight division's rankings.
Ruotolo represents a formidable challenge despite his limited MMA experience. The 22-year-old Californian captured the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title against Magomed Abdulkadirov at ONE Fight Night 16 in November 2023, then successfully defended the belt twice against Izaak Michell and Dante Leon.
His transition to mixed martial arts began at ONE Fight Night 35 in September when he faced Adrian Lee in his lightweight debut. Ruotolo showed comfort during striking exchanges before securing a rear-naked choke finish once the action moved to the ground. That performance earned him a $50,000 bonus and demonstrated how his world-class grappling translates to MMA competition.
The upcoming matchup presents contrasting styles and experience levels. Isojima carries six professional victories and has competed exclusively in MMA since his debut, developing a well-rounded skill set that includes both striking and grappling. His recent performance against Vigna highlighted his ability to control positions and finish opponents with ground strikes.
Ruotolo's grappling credentials make him dangerous in any position on the mat. His submission expertise has earned him championship status in pure grappling competition, and his debut against Lee showed his grappling instincts remain sharp when mixed with other martial arts disciplines. The question centers on whether his limited MMA experience will prove a disadvantage against a more seasoned mixed martial artist.
Both fighters compete on a card alongside Christian Lee's ONE Lightweight World Title defense against Alibeg Rasulov, adding context to their bout. Ruotolo has publicly expressed interest in eventually challenging Lee for the championship, making a victory over Isojima an important step toward that goal.
For Isojima, defeating a high-profile opponent like Ruotolo would significantly raise his profile within the division and validate his rapid rise through the Japanese MMA circuit. A second consecutive ONE Championship victory would establish him as a legitimate lightweight worthy of attention from ranked competitors.
