Jozef Chen will make his ONE Championship debut in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5, at ONE Battle Evening 23. The proficient teen will meet Tye Ruotolo in a 186-pound catchweight submission grappling showcase. The step-up in competitors has not deterred the 19-year-old.
Chen Excited to Meet Ruotolo in Submission Grappling Showcase
“I’ve a good suggestion of what he’s going to do. However, I imply, one of the simplest ways to check out a number of these concepts on what may match or could not work is definitely having the match. I imply, he’s very younger. I feel he’s a bit older than me, however I assume in our careers, it received’t be the one time we cross paths. So I feel it’s an incredible alternative for me to check a number of the stuff I’ve been engaged on,” Chen instructed ONE.
The notion could also be that the teenager is preventing an uphill battle towards the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion. Nonetheless, Chen doesn’t consider the expertise hole is that totally different. If there’s any benefit for the American, Chen identifies the expertise edge as the place the distinction actually lies.
“I feel his fashion comes on account of how lengthy he’s educated and sort of the upbringing in jiu-jitsu he’s had. I’m arising on six years in jiu-jitsu, so I wouldn’t say I’ve as a lot instinct with what I essentially have to do, and in order that sort of manifests itself into what may very well be perceived as a methodical, slower method. Whereas I really feel like, since he’s been coaching for therefore lengthy, he has an excellent concept of what he needs to do in sure positions. In order that’s the place a number of this extra instinct and dynamic motion actually comes into play,” the South African mentioned.
Ruotolo has been remarkably dominant since arriving in ONE. Nonetheless, Chen feels that it’s as a result of the Atos BJJ star has been capable of dictate the matches on his phrases, particularly from prime place. At ONE Battle Evening 23, he can be trying to make Ruotolo uncomfortable and difficult him in each space.
“My concept is certainly to attempt to take a look at a number of the talents that I’m making an attempt to work on. So standing place is certainly one which I’m going to attempt to see what works, see what doesn’t, and attempt to play from that. As a result of if I can get to prime place on prime of Tye, it’ll be very profitable from there. Simply typically, you see him need to do his finest work from prime. So having the ability to put him in backside, I feel this can be a very good technique for me if I’m ready to do this,” Chen remarked.
Chen’s ONE debut is not only particular as a result of it’s his arrival on the worldwide stage. The B-Group consultant has lengthy been a fan of Ruotolo. The chance to check himself towards one of many prime grappling stars of right now is a part of the draw for the South African.
“Tye is certainly one of many extra thrilling and one of many extra well-accomplished grapplers within the sport. So, particularly for me, outdoors of how good he’s and the extent that he’s on, I feel one of many issues that makes it thrilling for me is that I’ve been watching him for, man, since I used to be a yellow, orange belt. So having the ability to compete towards him, it’s a really cool expertise,” the 19-year-old mentioned.
The ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title will not be up for grabs. A win for Chen would immediately elevate him into prime place for a doable problem. But, gold will not be his prime precedence. For Chen, exhibiting his abilities to a captive world viewers is the reward.
“I’m very proud to have the ability to compete at this degree at this level. I feel it’s very cool, as a result of, typically, for me, jiu-jitsu, I wanna have excellent jiu-jitsu. The competitors is extra secondary to my jiu-jitsu. With the ability to compete and show my jiu-jitsu, that’s what actually makes me blissful. It’s very superior to have the ability to compete towards somebody that you just regarded as much as for therefore lengthy,” the B-Group member remarked.
When Chen walks down the ONE aisle for the primary time, he doesn’t anticipate any first-time jitters. He believes his prior competitions around the globe have adequately ready him for this second, and it received’t change into a consider his Prime Video debut. Solely time will inform if that’s truly the case.
“It’s not the primary time. You realize, once I first got here to the U.S., like two years in the past, after which simply having educated with and competed with so many individuals that I’ve studied so much … you recognize, it’s not a brand new expertise to me,” Chen mentioned.
ONE Battle Evening 23 airs reside on Friday, July 5, on Prime Video. The motion begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The occasion is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers within the U.S. and Canada.
