Tye Ruotolo says he tried to showcase more of his striking but saw quick submission finish: “I'm just going to have to choke everyone out”

ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion Tye Ruotolo of the United States came out firing in his second mixed martial arts bout at ONE 173 on November 16.

The 22-year-old BJJ phenom made quick work of Japan’s Shozo Isojima inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, as he went 2-0 in MMA after a stellar rear-naked choke finish in round 1.

Judging by how the fight started, it was clear Ruotolo wanted to showcase the improvements he made in the striking department.

In his post-fight interview with the Bangkok Post’s Nick Atkin, the youngest IBJJF world champion admitted he was searching for the knockout.

"Yeah, rear naked, you know. I was trying to get a TKO or KO finish, but I'm just going to have to choke everyone out."

Tye Ruotolo surprised Isojima on the feet, landing crisp punches and kick combinations. His haymakers hit their mark and dazed the Japanese star.

Then again, when the opportunity to take the fight to the ground presented itself, the grappling savant went back to his roots.

While everyone knew it was only a matter of time once Ruotolo got the back, he was still able to display his evolving, well-rounded MMA skills before the submission finish.

Watch the full interview:

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Tye Ruotolo shares why he didn't get the TKO finish at ONE 173

Tye Ruotolo feels like Shojo Isojima fought passively, especially after feeling the wrath of his punches.

The 22-year-old believes he could have gotten the stoppage via strikes if only his Japanese counterpart had engaged a bit more.

The reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling king told Nick Atkin:

"I tried to get the match over as quick as possible. I definitely felt like I was a little bit sloppy for sure in my striking, you know, but I also felt like my opponent was on the back foot, you know, and I felt like I could really unleash."