BANGKOK — American Tye Ruotolo retained his One Championship welterweight submission grappling title with a unanimous decision win over Canadian Dante Leon on Friday in the co-main event of One Fight Night 31. Ruotolo was the aggressor throughout the bout, with Leon forced into defensive mode. Leon and Ruotolo had met twice before, with Leon earning a decision in 2020 and Ruotolo winning by submission in the 2021 rematch. Both men are decorated black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Leon, whose BJJ record dropped to 145-49, applauded Ruotolo as the decision was announced. "Much respect for Dante … A great representation of jiu-jitsu," said Ruotolo who was coming off a knee injury that has sidelined him since July. "I was stoked to have a good performance. It could have been a lot better. I could have got the sub(mission). That's what I came here to do but I'm just grateful to be here on the mats again," he added. Leon's gritty defence made Ruotolo (30-10) work for the win. The American's previous seven One Championship bouts, all wins, lasted an average of two minutes and one second. The five-foot-10 Ruotolo had a two-inch edge in height and a six-inch reach advantage. Ruotolo weighed in at 178.75 pounds compared to 174.5 pounds for Leon. Ruotolo got Leon down to the ground within a minute, quickly moving into side control. Reset and moved to the centre of the ring by the referee, Ruotolo continued his attack from on top. The Canadian managed to keep Ruotolo in check, defending from his back but could not mount any offence. One Championship submission grappling bouts consist of a single 10-minute round with victory achieved by a submission, verbal tapout, stoppage initiated by either the referee (due to imminent danger) or an athlete's cornerman stoppage. The judges decide the outcome if it goes the distance. The all-Thailand Muay Thai main event at Lumpinee Stadium saw 38-year-old Nong-O Hama, a former bantamweight champion, win a decision over 28-year-old Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, ranked third among One's flyweight contenders, in a slugfest. Nong-O won a US$50,000 bonus for his performance. In order to make prime time in North America, the card started at 8 a.m. local time Saturday in Thailand. Leon walked out at 10:15 a.m. Bangkok time. Born in Harrow in southwestern Ontario, the 29-year-old Leon grew up playing hockey but switched to BJJ at the age of 12. His BJJ training eventually took him to Toledo, Ohio, where he now has his two gyms. The 22-year-old Ruotolo took up BJJ at the age of three with twin brother Kade, who holds One's lightweight (170-pound) submission grappling title. In 2019, 16-year-old Tye became the youngest athlete to make it to the semifinals of the prestigious ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship. In 2022, he became the youngest-ever IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) world champion. Ruotolo claimed the 185-pound One Championship title in November 2023, winning a unanimous decision over Russia's Magomed Abdulkadirov. Ruotolo had previously defended the championship twice, submitting Australian Izaak Michell in April 2024 and earning a decision over South Africa's Jozef Chen in July. Leon is a two-time IBJJF no-gi world champion and was named Grappling Insider's Male Grappler of the Year in 2023. Last year at the ADCC World Championships, he defeated ADCC world champions Mica Galvao and Giancarlo Bodoni en route to bronze in the absolute (open) division. Leon won his One Championship debut on Dec. 6, making short work of Brazilian Bruno (Puccibull) Pucci on the undercard of One Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov. He earned a US$50,000 bonus for his performance. He then defeated Norway's Tommy Langaker via decision on Jan. 10, also in Bangkok. Leon has not competed since, focusing instead on preparing for Ruotolo. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025 The Canadian Press