Diego Paez Praises Ruotolo Brothers’ Striking Evolution Ahead Of ONE Fight Night 40
Diego Paez has spent months away from the spotlight, watching his Classic Fight Team stablemates collect victories while he refined his craft in the gym’s Fountain Valley, California, facility. The split decision win over Johan Ghazali last June satisfied his competitive hunger temporarily, but the Colombian-American striker craves something more definitive — a signature finish that erases any doubt about his status among the flyweight elite.
That opportunity arrives February 13 at ONE Fight Night 40 when the 32-year-old veteran faces Black Panther in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at Lumpinee Stadium. But before Paez steps back onto the global stage in Bangkok, Thailand, he’s taking time to celebrate the remarkable striking evolution of two teammates who’ve transformed from grappling prodigies into legitimate MMA threats — the Ruotolo brothers.
When Kade and Tye Ruotolo walked through Classic Fight Team’s doors a few years ago, they carried world championship credentials in submission grappling but needed striking fundamentals to survive mixed martial arts competition. The twin prodigies worked closely with head coach Tyler Wombles, though Paez also trained with them during their transition, witnessing firsthand the commitment and learning speed that separated them from ordinary athletes.
The 32-year-old striker was impressed from day one, watching the brothers absorb technical details with frightening efficiency. Over the years since those early sessions, Paez admits their growth has been exponential, their dedication translating into striking improvements that now make them dangerous everywhere the fight goes.
“Their energy is impressive,” Paez said. “They’re fast learners. They’re all in, they’re all about it. They are progressing at a very fast rate. You can tell when someone’s fully committed to something, and these kids are there to learn and to be the best. So, they hold up with everyone in the room. They learn quick.”
The work at Classic Fight Team has clearly paid dividends. Kade debuted in MMA last June and remains undefeated through three first-round victories. Although all three triumphs came via submission — his natural domain — he showcased improved striking in each contest, including a powerful overhand right that nearly knocked out Ahmed Mujtaba in his sophomore outing. The technical refinement was obvious to anyone watching closely.
Tye started his MMA journey later but enjoyed similar success, securing rear-naked choke victories over Adrian Lee in September and Shozo Isojima in November while displaying a varied stand-up repertoire that reflected countless hours spent drilling combinations. Both brothers remain developing fighters, but Paez recognizes something special when he sees it.
As someone who’s trained Muay Thai for nearly two decades and studied the world’s best strikers, the Colombian-American veteran understands the nuances that separate competent strikers from elite ones. The Ruotolo brothers haven’t reached that elite tier yet, but their trajectory suggests it’s only a matter of time before they’re competing with the division’s most dangerous stand-up fighters.
“I always tune in,” Paez said. “They’re killin’ it. I think their striking is getting better every single time that they step in there, and of course, they’re going to stick to their roots, but I feel like they can hang with the best on the feet. They got good striking, and they’re fully committed to everything they throw. I think that’s one of their best attributes.”
Now it’s Paez’s turn to shine. He enters his February 13 clash with Black Panther carrying momentum from the Ghazali victory, though satisfaction remains elusive. The Californian was happy with the win but hungry for something more definitive against the tough Thai veteran who represents exactly the kind of challenge that produces career-defining performances.
“I really want a finish,” Paez said. “I was so used to coming off of five-round fights, so these three-round fights, I need to start a lot quicker. And I feel like with this body in front of me, what a perfect matchup to get a finish on too, because he’s a tough guy, and the Thais aren’t easy to finish. So, I’m excited to go out there and perform.”
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