Kade Ruotolo Teaches Messi's Bodyguard Jiu-Jitsu Before Title Fight

Kade Ruotolo spent part of a trip to Los Angeles teaching grappling to Yassine Cheuko, the longtime bodyguard of Lionel Messi, in an impromptu street session with his twin brother Tye Ruotolo. There was no mat, no gym, just two reigning ONE Championship submission grappling world champions showing techniques to a security professional who turned out to be a willing training partner.

Cheuko has worked as Messi's bodyguard since the Argentine star's Paris Saint-Germain days and has stayed in the role through Messi's move to Inter Miami CF. He later posted the clip of the session on Instagram and thanked both Ruotolo brothers. Tye Ruotolo said the moment came together on the fly once the group realized how much Cheuko loved martial arts.

"We had Messi's bodyguard came around in town, and he's such a cool dude. He's got some really good energy. You could tell he loves martial arts a lot, so he was down just to go over a bunch of little moves while we were out in public," Tye Ruotolo said.

Why This Matters Right Before Two Big Fights

The viral moment lands at an interesting time for both brothers, who are weeks away from high-stakes assignments in ONE Championship's two-sport push. Kade Ruotolo, the ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion, faces former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 50 in December. Tye Ruotolo, the ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion, challenges Christian Lee for the ONE lightweight MMA world title at The Inner Circle 37 on November 6 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. Both 23-year-old Americans remain undefeated inside ONE Championship and are trying to build out MMA resumes to match their grappling dominance.

Against that backdrop, a lighthearted sidewalk lesson with a celebrity bodyguard reads as exactly what it is: a break from fight camp, not a signal of distraction. Tye Ruotolo made clear Cheuko embraced the moment despite the lack of a proper mat.

"We didn't necessarily have a mat underneath our feet, but he was still willing to roll and do some jiu-jitsu, for sure. He's cool. He's down. He's got martial arts in his heart, for sure," Tye Ruotolo said.

What It Means for Bettors Watching the Ruotolo Brothers

Neither matchup is likely to move off a viral clip, but the timing keeps both names in front of fans as oddsmakers shape lines for November and December. Tye Ruotolo stepping in with Christian Lee for a lightweight MMA title represents the bigger leap in competition level, a proven two-sport champion against a grappling ace still building his cage resume, and that fight should draw significant betting interest as a crossroads bout for ONE's banner promotion. Kade Ruotolo's test against the more MMA-tested Ok Rae Yoon carries its own intrigue, pitting elite grappling credentials against cage-tested experience. Expect sportsbooks to treat both Ruotolo brothers as live underdogs or pick'em types depending on how markets price grappling pedigree against MMA readiness, with the Christian Lee fight drawing the heavier action given the title stakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who taught Lionel Messi's bodyguard a jiu-jitsu move?

Kade Ruotolo and his twin brother Tye Ruotolo, both ONE Championship submission grappling world champions, taught Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko a grappling technique during an impromptu session in Los Angeles.

What is next for Kade Ruotolo and Tye Ruotolo?

Kade Ruotolo faces former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 50 in December, while Tye Ruotolo challenges Christian Lee for the ONE lightweight MMA world title at The Inner Circle 37 on November 6 in Bangkok.

Who is Yassine Cheuko?

Yassine Cheuko is the longtime bodyguard of football star Lionel Messi, having worked with him since his Paris Saint-Germain days and continuing the role at Inter Miami CF.