One Match, One Chance

ONE features one grappling match per card. That scarcity means every selection carries huge weight. With such limited slots, the roster is stacked with names at the very top of the sport:

• Tye Ruotolo
• Kade Ruotolo
• Giancarlo Bodoni
• Rafael Lovato Jr.
• Cole Abate
• Dante Leon
• Helena Crevar
• Fabricio Andrey

“Every one of them is either #1 in their weight class or among the very best in the world,” DeBlass explained.

Performance Dictates Opportunity

The high standard means performance matters more than ever. DeBlass confirmed that when an athlete loses two matches in a row, he may opt to release the athlete from their contract. He frames this not as punishment, but as a chance to gain experience elsewhere—with the door open for a future return—and it also opens space for rising talent to get a shot on the sport’s biggest stage.

“We put on one grappling match per card, and it’s life-changing for our athletes… We decided it was best to release her as we generally will do when athletes lose twice in a row.”

—Tom DeBlass, public comment

Mutual Respect Remains

Despite the competitive nature of the roster, the relationships with athletes remain strong.

“To this day, not a single athlete that I have personally worked with has asked to be released. They and their managers have been a pleasure. It’s truly been an honor and a pleasure to support them.”

—Tom DeBlass

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

Beyond prestige, ONE Championship grappling bouts also carry a potential $50,000 performance bonus and the largest global viewership in submission grappling today. DeBlass noted he will be on site for CJI later this August, and that he’ll soon announce Giancarlo Bodoni vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. in Tokyo.

Bottom line: With limited spots, massive stakes, and a roster packed with champions, ONE Grappling under Tom DeBlass has cemented itself as the highest-profile stage in the sport—where every match can make or break a career.