Izaak Michell will challenge American BJJ phenom Tye Ruotolo for his ONE welterweight submission grappling world title at ONE 166: Qatar.
The intriguing bout will take place among a staggering five world title bouts at the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail, Qatar, on March 1.
Adelaide-born Michell is widely regarded as one of the best grapplers in his weight class.
The 25-year-old submission ace is a two-time ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials gold medallist who boasts victories over current IBJJF world champions Roberto Jimenez and Jansen Gomes.
But the biggest test of his career will undoubtedly come when he makes his ONE Championship debut against Ruotolo, who is an athlete at the peak of his powers.
The 20-year-old, alongside his twin brother and ONE lightweight submission grappling king Kade Ruotolo, has established himself as one of the faces of grappling on the global stage and is unbeaten in five appearances under the ONE banner, including submission wins over MMA standouts Garry Tonon and Marat Gafurov.
Ruotolo netted the inaugural ONE welterweight submission grappling world title in his latest appearance – a dominant decision win over Russia’s Magomed Abdulkadirov in November.
The California native politely called Michell out after the historic win, and now he has gotten his wish.
ONE 166 marks ONE’s on-ground debut in Qatar and the promotion has undoubtedly prepared a stacked card for the occasion.
The full card is still to be announced.
ONE 166 Announced Bouts
ONE Middleweight MMA World Title: Reinier de Ridder (c) vs. Anatoly Malykhin
ONE Strawweight MMA World Title: Jarred Brooks (c) vs. Joshua Pacio
ONE Featherweight MMA World Title: Tang Kai (c) vs. Thanh Le (ic)
ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title: Stamp Fairtex (c) vs. Denice Zamboanga
ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title: Tye Ruotolo (c) vs. Izaak Michell
Heavyweight MMA: Arjan Bhullar vs. Amir Aliakbari
Flyweight Submission Grappling: Osamah Almarwai vs. Cleber Sousa
