Kade Ruotolo Out With Injury: Fabricio Andrey and Owen Jones Step Up at ONE Fight Night 44

Reviewed by BJJ Gyms · Updated 2026-07-27

What Was Planned and What Changed

The original plan for ONE: The Inner Circle on June 26, 2026, was a title fight: Kade Ruotolo defending his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship against Fabricio Andrey at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. This was a superfight years in the making. Ruotolo is the youngest ADCC World Champion in history and has established himself as one of the most exciting grapplers of his generation. Andrey, with a professional grappling record of 106 wins and 27 losses and a game built around flying techniques and powerful takedowns, represented one of the most dangerous challenges Ruotolo had faced.

The matchup was not to be. Ruotolo sustained an injury following his MMA competition at The Inner Circle, where he defeated Hiroyuki Tetsuka. An injury in an MMA fight shortly before a grappling title defense is the kind of occupational hazard that exists when elite grapplers compete across both formats simultaneously, and Ruotolo's camp and ONE Championship made the call that he could not safely defend the title.

Andrey, still in Bangkok and still prepared, was matched with promotional newcomer Owen Jones in a featherweight submission grappling match at ONE Fight Night 44 on the same date. The rescheduling allowed the event to proceed with elite grappling on the card while the Ruotolo rematch was pushed to a future date.

Who Fabricio Andrey Is

Fabricio Andrey arrived at ONE Championship in April 2025 after building a formidable professional grappling resume. His 106-27 record includes wins against high-level competition across multiple grappling formats. Andrey made his ONE debut with a unanimous decision victory over Ashley Williams, establishing himself as a credible contender in the organization's submission grappling division.

Andrey's style is built around aggression and unconventional entries. He is known for flying submission attempts, including heel hooks and arm locks from unexpected angles, and for a takedown game that combines wrestling fundamentals with BJJ-specific setups. He is also confirmed as one of the athletes with an invitation to ADCC 2026 in Krakow, which places him among the elite tier of no-gi grappling on a global stage.

Facing Owen Jones at featherweight rather than competing for the lightweight title is not the showcase Andrey was building toward, but demonstrating his finishing ability and competitive edge in a public performance before ADCC is valuable. His ability to adapt to a new opponent on short notice also speaks to the competitive maturity that elite grappling competition at ONE Championship demands.

The Ruotolo-Andrey Rivalry Still to Come

The injury that prevented this title fight does not diminish the anticipation for when it eventually happens. Kade Ruotolo's combination of fluidity, creativity, and finishing ability from multiple positions makes him one of the most unique competitors in submission grappling. His ability to score submissions from leg locks, from the back, and from unusual top-pressure sequences gives him multiple pathways to finishing opponents.

Against Andrey specifically, the matchup offers an interesting stylistic contrast. Andrey's aggression and his willingness to take risks with flying and unconventional attacks creates the potential for both athletes to be in danger at any moment. Ruotolo's ability to create submissions from transitions and scrambles aligns well with the kind of chaotic pace Andrey tends to create.

Both athletes are ADCC 2026 invitees, which means they may well meet in Krakow in September if their brackets align. Whether the ONE title fight happens before or after ADCC, the matchup is one of the most compelling in grappling and will eventually happen.

What This Means for Fans and Practitioners

Injuries and last-minute changes are part of combat sports at every level, including the highest. ONE Championship's ability to navigate the change, keeping elite grappling on the card and providing Andrey with a competitive showcase, reflects the kind of organizational depth that a serious grappling promotion needs.

For practitioners watching these events, the value of submission grappling competitions like ONE Fight Night 44 extends beyond the specific matchups. Each event is an opportunity to watch advanced technique under competitive pressure, to see how elite grapplers solve positional problems in real time, and to absorb principles that are applicable in your own training.

The Ruotolo-Andrey story also illustrates something that grappling fans and practitioners already understand: the best matchups are worth waiting for. Submission grappling at the highest level rewards patience and technical development over time, and the athletes who make it to the top of organizations like ONE Championship have put in years of work to get there. Your gym is where that process starts for you.

5 Things That Make Fabricio Andrey a Dangerous Grappler to Watch

Andrey is not a typical grappler. Here is what makes his game distinctive and why his future matchups, including a rescheduled Ruotolo bout, will be worth watching.

1. Flying submission attempts from unexpected angles: Andrey has built his reputation on unconventional submission entries, including flying heel hooks and arm locks initiated from standing and transitional positions. These attacks create risk for any opponent.
2. Powerful takedown game: Andrey's path to dominant positions often starts from his feet. His takedown ability, combining wrestling-style shots with BJJ-specific finishes, gives him control over where matches go.
3. Aggressive pacing that creates scrambles: Andrey does not wait for his moment. His willingness to attack and create chaos tends to produce scrambles and transitions, which plays to his submission-hunting strengths.
4. A 106-win record that spans multiple formats: Winning 106 professional grappling matches requires competing consistently across a wide range of opponents and rule sets. That depth of experience informs his competitive intelligence.
5. ADCC 2026 invitation status: An ADCC 2026 invitation is awarded based on competitive performance, which means Andrey is recognized by the sport's premier event as being among the elite. His September appearance in Krakow will be closely watched.

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