Latest Stories – ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts https://www.onefc.com The Home Of Martial Arts Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:49:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 ‘A Brotherhood’ – How New Immigrant Denis Puric Found A Sense Of Belonging And Safety With His Breakdancing Crew https://www.onefc.com/features/a-brotherhood-how-new-immigrant-denis-puric-found-a-sense-of-belonging-and-safety-with-his-breakdancing-crew/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 23:49:13 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/ded59d82a62c4531904e05cbbd4bcd9ca857f34b

Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric didn’t know anybody when he moved to Canada from war-torn Bosnia, but he eventually found a group of friends who would become his family for life.

The 39-year-old flyweight Muay Thai star – who will face Jacob Smith at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video in U.S. primetime on April 5 – found his tribe with a local breakdancing crew, but it offered him a lot more than just entertainment.

As a young man in a new city with nobody else to rely on, “The Bosnian Menace” needed the new group to fulfill a variety of roles in his life

He reflected on that period of his youth before battling Smith at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand:

“In high school, I moved to a city named Hamilton, just outside of Toronto. During that time, the city was dangerous, filled with street gangs. Growing up, I never had brothers or sisters watching over me. I’m a lone soldier. But to survive, you had to be rolling with a couple of guys because the streets were dangerous.  

“I met a couple of guys in high school, they were Southeast Asian guys. A lot of them were from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. I started hanging out with these guys, then I see them start doing their breakdancing thing. 

“It was those times when guys were carrying cardboards around, and they’d stop at a bus stop and bust a flare. So we created a breakdancing crew called ‘The Red Dragons.’ We had a lot of guys, man. We would go to places in the streets, and there would be breakdancing shows where we would compete with other crews. That was big in Hamilton.” 

Still finding his way in a new hometown, Puric could have been drawn to any of the cliques that high school offered, but something about “The Red Dragons” pulled him in. 

There was nothing selfish about the group. Instead, it was a collective that worked together – both in good times and bad.  

The Team CSK representative recalled: 

“I was drawn to them because I felt the way they handled themselves was like a family. I saw a bunch of brothers. The way they hung out, it was always together. When they ate, they ate one meal together, whether it was one guy or 23 guys, everybody shared. That’s what drew me to them. 

“It was the way that they moved, and especially during those times, I wanted to be a part of that because it looked safe, it felt safe, and when one went down, everybody went down. So that’s how it was, survival of the fittest, and we survived because we had each other. We held it down like that.” 

What ‘The Red Dragons’ Meant To Denis Puric 

Most young people look for camaraderie in one form or another, whether from sports, music, video games, or any other type of subculture.  

For their part, “The Red Dragons” had a certain look that distinguished them from everybody else – though it sometimes attracted the wrong kind of attention. 

But while the locals might have thought they were unruly youths, Puric says that wasn’t the case, at least most of the time: 

“We were kids, man. They looked at us because we were wearing colors and going around as a group of guys who all looked thugged out with saggy pants. There were a lot of us, man. So imagine 50 to 70 guys walking around town wearing colors, people looked at you different. But we never went around causing trouble.  

“But there was a lot of trouble because it’s the streets, man. So basically, the reason why we got together was more to protect each other, and it became like a brotherhood.” 

Most teen collectives start to dissipate as the crew members get older, and while that was also true for “The Red Dragons,” it wasn’t the end of their friendships. 

Puric is still close with many of his old breakdancing buddies. At the same time, he’ll always miss their heyday when they were young and carefree.  

He added:

“Just being with the guys was the best thing about it. Going around from one part of town to the next part of town, breakdancing, battling, hanging out, being wild sometimes. Being kids!  

“That’s what I miss during those days because we were together all the time. And the bond together as a group is probably the one thing I miss the most. But it was a good time. Some of the best times.” 

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ONE Championship
Full Card Revealed For ONE Friday Fights 56 On March 22 https://www.onefc.com/news/full-card-revealed-for-one-friday-fights-56-on-march-22/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:55:05 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/1968d391a7cc87bc9702c62796db1cbd8cc5f148

An exciting 12-fight lineup has been confirmed for ONE Friday Fights 56 on March 22. 

The next weekly installment at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium will feature 10 explosive Muay Thai contests, with a pair of MMA bouts adding to the action in Bangkok, Thailand. 

In the main event, Ferrari Fairtex and Mavlud Tupiev each look to continue their winning streaks in a key bantamweight Muay Thai clash. 

Both men have consistently delivered thrilling battles in ONE Friday Fights, but this is a big opportunity to reach the next level. 

Ferrari has been successful in his last three outings while Tupiev is coming off back-to-back victories. This week, the winner could take a big step toward a potential six-figure contract with ONE.

Puengluang Baanramba could also knock down that door if he keeps his unbeaten run alive against Dentungtong Singha Mawynn in their flyweight Muay Thai clash. 

The 24-year-old has posted a 5-0 slate since entering the world’s largest martial arts organization, taking three of those victories by knockout.

However, Dentungtong has looked strong with three wins and just one decision defeat in ONE. The Singha Mawynn representative is hoping to derail his opponent’s hype train and establish himself as a name to watch in the division.  

There is plenty more in “the art of eight limbs,” including the return of Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Yodkritsada Sor Sommai against Sanpet Sor Salacheep and the always-exciting Furkan Karabag against Japanese striker Hiroyuki Ihara.

There are guaranteed fireworks in the MMA ranks, with two unbeaten phenoms putting their zeros on the line. 

At 5-0, Russian athlete Changy Kara-Ool will take on China’s Sanlang Gex, while 7-0 Pakistani competitor Rizwan Ali will face Russian fighter Mikhail Gritsanenko at featherweight. 

Full Card For ONE Friday Fights 56 

  • Ferrari Fairtex vs. Mavlud Tupiev (Muay Thai – bantamweight) 
  • Puengluang Baanramba vs. Dentungtong Singha Mawynn (Muay Thai – flyweight) 
  • Kritpet PK Saenchai vs. Jelte Blommaert (Muay Thai – 126-pound catchweight) 
  • Yodkritsada Sor Sommai vs. Sanpet Sor Salacheep (Muay Thai – 130-pound catchweight) 
  • Tonglampoon FA Group vs. Kongsurin Sor Jor Lekmuangnon (Muay Thai – 117-pound catchweight) 
  • Sungprab Lookpichit vs. Yodpayak Sor Jor Lekmuangnon (Muay Thai – 112-pound catchweight) 
  • Furkan Karabag vs. Hiroyuki Ihara (Muay Thai – 140-pound catchweight) 
  • Rak Erawan vs. Shuto Sato (Muay Thai – atomweight) 
  • Changy Kara-Ool vs. Sanlang Gexi (MMA – strawweight) 
  • Mikhail Gritsanenko vs. Rizwan Ali (MMA – featherweight) 
  • Sonrak Fairtex vs. Masaya Katsuno (Muay Thai – flyweight) 
  • Kaenlek Sor Chokmeechai vs. Ryuto Oinuma (Muay Thai – 118-pound catchweight) 

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ONE Championship
The Differences Between Gi And No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu https://www.onefc.com/advice/the-differences-between-gi-and-no-gi-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/3df0754b52db9811e845e80f7528c635741ef89f

On Friday, April 5, in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video, 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Tye Ruotolo will put his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title on the line against ultra-talented Australian star Izaak Michell.

Set to air live in U.S. primetime to over 190 countries from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the matchup has grappling fans salivating and has captivated the global martial arts community.

The showdown between Ruotolo and Michell marks another step in the worldwide explosion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With the grappling art continuing to gain popularity at an incredible rate, we look into the key differences between gi and no-gi BJJ.

What Is Gi BJJ?

BJJ has traditionally been performed and practiced in the gi – the heavy martial arts uniform also known as a kimono.

Notably, grapplers can grip either their own or their opponent’s gi to execute a wide variety of techniques, from simple guard passes to complex sweeps to a multitude of submissions. Many practitioners, when putting on the gi for the first time, are surprised to learn that their own gi can be used against them to apply chokes.

While the ultimate goals of BJJ remain the same in the gi – controlling from a dominant position before achieving the submission – gi BJJ is often much slower and more complex than no-gi BJJ.

What Is No-Gi BJJ?

As the name suggests, no-gi BJJ is the same art, but grapplers wear the form-fitting athletic clothes seen in ONE’s submission grappling bouts.

Unlike gi BJJ, no-gi competitors are prohibited from gripping their opponent’s clothing. As a result, no-gi BJJ is often much faster-paced with plenty of scrambles and rapid changes in position.

What’s more, no-gi BJJ permits a wider range of submission holds, including heel hooks, twisters, and neck cranks.

Which One Is Better To Practice?

Those looking to try BJJ for the first time will naturally wonder if gi or no-gi is better. The answer isn’t simple or the same for everyone. 

Because it is often slower and viewed as more technical and less physical, many BJJ instructors suggest practicing only in the gi to start. This way, the student can learn the nuance of control and foundations of BJJ without relying on speed or strength.

While gi BJJ is regularly the choice for older grapplers trying to avoid injury, some may find that the constant gripping is hard on their hands and wrists.

No-gi BJJ is a much faster form of grappling, and for this reason many find it more fun and exciting than gi BJJ. The addition of submissions not otherwise permitted in the gi adds to the draw.

However, no-gi BJJ places a stronger emphasis on athleticism, making it the second choice for many grapplers.

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ONE Championship
How Izaak Michell’s ‘Spiritual Journey’ Through The Jiu-Jitsu World Led To A ONE World Title Shot https://www.onefc.com/submission-grappling/how-izaak-michells-spiritual-journey-through-the-jiu-jitsu-world-led-to-a-one-world-title-shot/ Sun, 17 Mar 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/043cc800f56f312f489c5ee9210f7bf7739f0803

Izaak Michell has been on quite the adventure en route to the top of the submission grappling world.

Now, the Australian standout will soon compete on the global stage for the first time in what will be the biggest opportunity of his career. He squares off with Tye Ruotolo for the American prodigy’s ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title.

Set to go down on April 5 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video, the World Title showdown has grappling fans buzzing with excitement.

Before he battles Ruotolo live in U.S. primetime to determine the planet’s top welterweight ground fighter, we take a look at Michell’s climb toward greatness. 

Finding Jiu-Jitsu: ‘I Was Pretty Hooked’

An athletically gifted and energetic youth, Michell grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, where he enjoyed practically any sport that got his body moving, from surfing and skateboarding to Australian football.

It was while playing “footy” when he realized he excelled in the more physical aspects of the game, which eventually led him to try out martial arts.

He told onefc.com about his early days as an athlete:

“I was doing Australian football, or AFL. I was playing other sports at school, a lot of skateboarding, surfing, that sort of stuff. I found myself really enjoying the fighting aspect in the AFL matches. I liked getting in and under, that sort of thing. I was a midfielder and then I figured I might as well try to find some place I can actually just fight in general.”

After dabbling in Muay Thai and kickboxing, Michell — then just 16 years old — soon found his true calling in grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Recognizing his own prodigious talent for the grappling art, he set aside dreams of becoming a professional surfer or skateboarder to focus entirely on BJJ:

“I used to be really into skateboarding and competing and trying to get sponsors and everything, and I think surfing as well has always been one of those things that have brought me a lot of enjoyment. And then, jiu-jitsu. When I started to do a lot of that, I was pretty hooked and have been ever since.”

A True Nomad

Michell was determined to make BJJ his life. When he finished high school, the young Australian set out on an epic international adventure to train at the best gyms around the world and alongside the sport’s most talented athletes.

He lived a nomadic lifestyle, hopping from academy to academy and tournament to tournament.

He recalled:

“I was doing [BJJ] a lot, and then when I was about 18 I started to do a lot of traveling. I enjoyed traveling a lot and I enjoyed jiu-jitsu, so those two go hand in hand as well. I was traveling for jiu-jitsu, going over to do the World Championships in America, going to gyms before that for a month here, a month there, and it eventually led me on this journey around the world.”

Michell’s journey took him all over North America and included a road trip from Canada to Costa Rica. Through it all, he trained at world-class gyms like Team Lloyd Irvin in Maryland, as well as Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City.

Those experiences taught him how to train like the elite competitor he is today.

He said:

“That was a really eye-opening sort of thing, traveling overseas and joining a big team and experiencing that for the first time.”

‘A Search For Meaning’

At 25 years old, the Adelaide native firmly established himself as one of the planet’s top submission grapplers. He boasted victories over the likes of IBJJF Gi World Champion Jansen Gomes, as well as IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Roberto Jimenez.

But for Michell, BJJ is about much more than collecting medals – it’s about finding happiness in everything he does.

He said:

“Growing up, my parents ended up separating, and [I used] that experience to push me [toward] jiu-jitsu and find something that I was really happy to be doing every day. And jiu-jitsu was that for me. 

“Not only has it been a career and a way for me to make a living, but it’s also been a big spiritual journey, or just a search for meaning. I think that’s a big thing in jiu-jitsu, a reason why people stick around and really make it a lifestyle.”

While he might be considered one of the sport’s most entertaining grapplers, beloved for his all-action, ultra-aggressive style, Michell says that jiu-jitsu has been a way for him to find peace and calm, both on the mats and off.

He explained:

“I see that coming alive all the time in my life, especially in the journey that I’m on. You can stay calm, present, ready for life and just general daily living. Then you can do the same thing on the mats and vice versa. They do go hand in hand.”

Giving Back To Australia

Michell’s journey around the world and impressive career accomplishments have led him to ONE Fight Night 21.

He understands that given ONE’s massive global platform and its roster of top pound-for-pound World Champions like Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci, Tye, and Kade Ruotolo, he has officially reached the pinnacle of the sport.

He said:

“I believe that ONE Championship is the biggest [organization] because they’re bringing in the best guys and they’re definitely giving us better opportunities to look after ourselves. I think it’s definitely up there and highly regarded, truly as big as anything else in the grappling world.”

At the moment, Michell is supremely focused on Ruotolo and the World Title opportunity before him.

But he’s already thinking years in advance after his career as an athlete comes to an end. He hopes to change lives for the better and spread the gospel of the jiu-jitsu lifestyle in his native Australia.

He added:

“I also want to spend the time after my professional career giving back, especially in Australia where I can open up a huge school and I can help and kind of give back everything that I learned from being overseas for so long.

“I can start making it a part of other people’s lives here in Australia. Not only can I make champions come out of Australia, but I can also help people change their life and give them that jiu-jitsu life.” 

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ONE Championship
Tang Kai Unpacks Knockout Win Over Thanh Le, Discusses Potential World Title Challengers https://www.onefc.com/news/tang-kai-unpacks-knockout-win-over-thanh-le-discusses-potential-world-title-challengers/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 17:15:20 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/064d260adae3180e5222141c34dcbfc2783a1cf4

Earlier this month, Tang Kai solidified his status as the planet’s top featherweight mixed martial artist – and he did it in emphatic fashion.

On March 1 at ONE 166: Qatar, the Chinese superstar knocked out interim titleholder Thanh Le to unify the divisional belts and once again become the undisputed ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion.

That victory came 18 months after Tang first defeated Le by decision to claim the World Title. But when injury forced him to the sidelines for an extended period, Le stayed busy and captured the interim gold.

During his long time away, Tang and his team devised a plan to finish his rival inside the distance, and he executed that plan perfectly.

The 28-year-old told onefc.com:

“The strategy was to give him pressure to break his rhythm – and then finish him.”

After a somewhat tepid start to the battle, the Sunkin International Fight Club representative found his range in the third round with a perfectly placed right hand that sent the Vietnamese-American star crumbling to the canvas.

For Tang, that knockout represented the culmination of many months of hard work.

After failing to secure the finish in their first bout, he was happy to silence any critics who doubted his stopping power against the division’s elite:

“I must thank my team and coaches because they helped me make tactics to finish the match. I felt really good to win a match by knockout that I’ve been waiting for over a year to have.

“I showed my power this time to the people who doubted me before.”

Tang Welcomes Fights With Tonon, Nguyen, And Superbon

Now that he’s unified the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title, Tang Kai has no shortage of hungry contenders looking for an opportunity.

The most obvious first challenger is American jiu-jitsu ace Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon, who is currently ranked #2 in the division and has scored three consecutive submission wins since his unsuccessful bid for gold against Thanh Le in 2022.

When asked about a potential fight with the New Jersey native, Tang didn’t hesitate in describing how he thinks that classic striker-versus-grappler matchup would go:

“He’s very good at jiu-jitsu, but his striking skill is weaker. I’m always ready to fight with any style, any person.

“[His grappling] won’t affect me. I’m going to KO him.”

Beyond Tonon, the featherweight MMA king has his sights set on Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen

While the Vietnamese-Australian standout has struggled lately, going 2-2 over his past four appearances, Tang hopes that Nguyen can put together a winning streak and fight his way back to a shot at the World Title he once held:

“I really want to fight Martin Nguyen because he was the first two-division ONE World Champion. Although he’s been losing recently, I want him to win a couple of fights and challenge me, and I think it’s going to be a really good and impressive fight.”

Finally, the Chinese titleholder says he’d happily welcome a showdown with former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon Singha Mawynn, who will compete for that division’s interim gold at ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian II.

He’s heard the Thai legend speak about chasing gold in MMA but doubts that a transition to the all-around sport would go smoothly.

To that end, Tang sent a message to Superbon, warning him what could happen:

“I think Superbon is a bit arrogant because he says he can fight in MMA with a bit of practice. I’d have to let him know what MMA is, and I’ll let him sleep on the ground.”

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ONE Championship
‘It’s Just My Identity’ – How Life As A Child Prodigy Molded Tye Ruotolo Into A Global BJJ Superstar https://www.onefc.com/news/its-just-my-identity-how-life-as-a-child-prodigy-molded-tye-ruotolo-into-a-global-bjj-superstar/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 17:05:08 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/a4c925c0b55d0d4b6b05f4fe921bf83f3688394d

Reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo has been competing in high-stakes matches at an elite level since childhood.

On April 5, in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video, the 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom will return in another high-pressure situation when he defends the gold against Australian standout Izaak Michell in U.S. primetime.

That contest at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok will mark Ruotolo’s first appearance since claiming the inaugural welterweight submission grappling crown last November with a dominant showing against Magomed Adbulkadirov.

But well before he was a ONE superstar, Ruotolo and his twin brother, ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo, were recognized as two of the most promising and talented young grapplers the sport had ever seen. 

When he was just a 16-year-old BJJ blue belt, Tye defeated much older, more experienced competitors to take home fourth place at the prestigious ADCC World Championships in 2019.

The Californian told onefc.com that competing at such a high level from an early age alongside his brother – with such high expectations surrounding them – shaped the athletes they’ve become today:

“Of course, there’s always been pressure. We’ve just been doing it since such a young age that it’s part of our lives.

“It’s not even like we have an option. I don’t feel like I can just stop doing it – it’s just my identity. It’s just like who I am, right?”

Now an IBJJF Black Belt World Champion and perhaps the planet’s most dangerous pound-for-pound submission artist, Ruotolo has never known a life outside of world-class competition.

That’s not to say he lives and breathes jiu-jitsu every moment of every day, though. He and his brother have plenty of hobbies outside of grappling, but ultimately, they are fighters to their core:

“Sure I do other things. I surf, I got my other parts, but jiu-jitsu is what I do. So every time I compete, that’s huge. It’s huge to me because that’s who I am. You know, if I lose that, it’s a reflection of how I’ve how I’ve probably prepared.” 

How Tye Ruotolo Deals With Pressure: ‘That’s My Job’

Tye Ruotolo will throw himself back into the pressure cooker when he battles Izaak Michell in a World Title showdown at ONE Fight Night 21.

With the eyes of the global martial arts community on him, the American will once again try to live up to the massive hype and lofty expectations.

Ruotolo admits it isn’t easy, but given he’s been doing this since childhood, that pressure has become normal – just another aspect of his life as a top competitor:

“The same way that I guess someone would make sure they have to show up to work every day, it’s the same way.

“Like when I go to compete, I have to. I don’t have an option. You know, that’s my job. I can’t quit. I’m a jiu-jitsu fighter, you know? That’s what I’ve spent my whole life doing.”

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ONE Championship
Nabati Stays Unbeaten Against Avatar, Diachkova Earns Six-Figure Contract With KO Win At ONE Friday Fights 55 https://www.onefc.com/news/nabati-stays-unbeaten-against-avatar-diachkova-earns-six-figure-contract-with-ko-win-at-one-friday-fights-55/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:09:57 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/647e2c258c3c5327bd3fae033ca6a684e587af8c

Following a monumental showcase at ONE Fight Night 20 last weekend, ONE Championship returned to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, for another thrilling event on Friday, March 15.

ONE Friday Fights 55 delivered world-class combat sports action across Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, and submission grappling, which featured at the weekly series for the first time.

Needless to say, each battle kept the crowd inside the iconic venue entertained from start to finish. In case you missed any of it, here’s a recap of everything that went down live in Asia primetime.

Nabati Bests Avatar To Keep His Record Perfect

Following a tremendous debut at ONE Friday Fights 35, Kiamran Nabati kept the momentum rolling against Avatar PK Saenchai in bantamweight Muay Thai action. 

Nabati’s confidence was evident as he pressured Avatar from the opening bell. The Russian striker unleashed thunderous spinning kicks and heavy combinations to keep his foe in place and stay ahead on the scorecards.

He continued his blistering pace in the second stanza and began to chop at Avatar’s legs to thwart any attacks the Thai had up his sleeve.

Unrelenting and seeking a finish, Nabati stood in the center of the ring in round three and dropped his foe with a huge right hand. He followed up with spinning kicks and elbows against the ropes, but Avatar held on to the final bell. 

Nonetheless, the result was a foregone conclusion. Nabati picked up the unanimous decision win to move to 20-0 in his career and 2-0 in ONE.

Rittidet Starches Tomyamkoong Inside Two Rounds

Rittidet Sor Sommai added another stunning knockout to his resume in his 133-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout against Tomyamkoong Bhumjaithai

Tomyamkoong had a strong opening stanza, blasting his Thai compatriot with heavy left kicks from the southpaw stance. But Rittidet was never out of the fight.  

The Sor Sommai man pressed forward with punches and kicks in round two, forcing a reaction from his Thai compatriot. Tomyamkoong managed to catch a left kick from Rittidet, but he was hit with a crunching counter left hook in response that connected directly with his jaw. 

Tomyamkoong dropped to the canvas and couldn’t get back up, so the bout was waved off at the 1:25 mark of the second frame. Rittidet’s record moved to 86-9 with the KO win, and he has three knockouts from his three victories in ONE Championship.   

Bhumjaithai’s Mean Body Shots Fold Panthep

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Bhumjaithai Mor Tor 1 was in trouble when Panthep Sor Jor Thongprajin’s towering figure allowed him to pick shots and push him onto the backfoot in their 123-pound catchweight Muay Thai battle.

But the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym star reversed his fortunes late in round two, however, and he wrapped things up in the third stanza to score his first win in ONE.

After absorbing more than he gave in the first five and a half minutes, the 21-year-old forced his rival onto the ropes, where he unleashed a bucket load of body shots that crumbled Panthep just before the bell sounded.

Sensing a finish was near, Bhumjaithai stuck to the same target when the third canto kicked off, and another near-identical onslaught near the turnbuckle earned him the TKO finish at 1:00 of the round, securing him the 99th win of his career.

Denphuthai Outworks Felipe For Debut Victory

Denphuthai SitJackmuaythai Rhuam Felipe ONE Friday Fights 55 24

Denphuthai SitJackmuaythai opened his ONE Championship account with a strong display against Rhuam Felipe.

The 26-year-old traded strikes with the Brazilian star throughout their flyweight Muay Thai battle, relying on a bevy of knees, elbows, and punches to keep his opposition at bay.

As the match progressed, Denphuthai kept the pressure dialed, and he stayed cool even when Felipe threatened to flip the momentum with a late onslaught.

In the end, all three judges at ringside deemed the SitJackmuaythai standout worthy, and he was handed a debut win that moved his professional slate to 131-31-9 overall.

Chalamdam Smashes Singtanawat In ONE Debut

Two debutants went to war in strawweight Muay Thai when Chalamdam Sor Boonmeerit locked horns with Singtanawat Nokjeanladkrabang, and the former came out on top with a final-round knockout.

Chalamdam found success early on. His entries and exits kept Singtanawat pinned against the ropes, allowing him to unleash strikes with lethal intention. 

The second round was better for Singtanawat. He managed to find a home for his combinations on multiple occasions. But as the scrap continued, Chalamdam’s deadly counterstrikes had fans on the edge of their seats.

With the stakes high and the tension rising, Chalamdam came out with a point to prove in the third round. The 23-year-old had a knockout in his mind, and he secured it with a mean left hook at 1:57 of the final frame to score a win in his ONE Championship debut and move to 66-15 overall.

Kaichon Gets Past Jompadej In Intense Three-Rounder

Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang Jompadej Nupranburi ONE Friday Fights 55 12

Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang endured some heavy offense from Jompadej Nupranburi and showed his grit throughout the 122-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout to claim an exciting debut victory. 

Jompadej started well, marching his rival down with thudding boxing combinations in round one. But Kaichon took everything his rival had to offer, then he started to turn the tide. 

The 22-year-old unleashed a more varied arsenal in round two, combatting Jompadej’s aggression with forward pressure and mixing punches with push kicks and body shots. 

Despite fierce opposition, Kaichon continued to wade into his compatriot in the final frame, and he earned the unanimous decision win to extend his record to 41-10. 

Irvine Dominates Longern En Route To Decision Win

Stephen “El Matador” Irvine gave it his all in his 127-pound catchweight Muay Thai matchup with Longern Paesaisi, and his courageous performance was enough to help him to a third victory at ONE Friday Fights.

The Scotsman went at his foe at a furious pace, switching targets and blending weapons to prevent Longern from getting into a rhythm in the first two rounds.

This worked to Irvine’s advantage on the scorecards, and his lead was increased when he dropped his Thai foe with a perfectly timed liver shot midway through the second frame.

Longern strived to get himself back into the fight in round three, but Irvine’s heavy output was simply too much to overcome As a result, all three judges awarded “El Matador” the win to push his professional slate to an impressive 26-4.

Diachkova Obliterates Chirino In Under Two Minutes

Natalia Diachkova took her ONE Championship winning streak to four when she met Chellina Chirino in strawweight Muay Thai action, and the Russian needed less than 120 seconds to do it. 

Diachkova controlled the opening moments and refused to let Chirino find her groove by controlling the center of the ring and landing jabs with her long limbs. 

Chirino was clearly irritated by her foe’s strikes, and she marched into the pocket to find some payback. But as she did so, Diachkova unleashed a litany of heavy strikes. She then dropped her Dutch-Curacan foe with a huge right hook that left her unable to answer the referee’s call.

The bout was waved off at 1:44 of round one, and Diachkova moved to 4-0 in ONE, 30-4 overall, and the dominant win was good enough to secure a $100,000 contract to compete on ONE’s biggest stage.

Pereira Chokes Out Khaliev In Entertaining MMA Clash

Matheus “Guiado por Deus” Pereira dug deep to find a third-round finish in his lightweight MMA battle against Khasan Khaliev

The Brazilian striker constantly whipped in hard left kicks on Khaliev throughout the match, along with punches, knees, and elbows. But the Russian found success with powerful punches that shook his Pereira.  

By the end of round two, Khaliev looked to be the one wearing the effects of the tough battle, and this prompted “Guiado por Deus” to pump the gas in the final frame. 

He heaped on the pressure with standing strikes and ground-and-pound before finally latching onto a guillotine choke to force the tap at 3:57 and extended his record to 6-2. 

Naito Shines In Three-Round Duel With Kabutov

In 136.4-pound catchweight kickboxing action, Taiki Naito cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Sherzod Kabutov after a thrilling nine-minute war.

The #3-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender stuck to basic yet effective low kicks to get the action going in the first round as his dance partner hopped in with spinning attacks.

None of that fazed the man nicknamed “Silent Sniper,” though. He upped the tempo in the second stanza, and his persistence to find an opening helped him slam in a high kick for the bout’s lone knockdown.

Naito continued to shut down his Kyrgyzstani foe in the final round, and his inch-perfect strategy earned him the nod from the judges at the end, moving his slate to 36-11.

Koshimizu Stops Joker In Muay Thai Barnburner

Ryota Koshimizu was facing the sternest test of his career in his ONE debut against Joker Paesaisi, but he passed it with flying colors. 

The pair came out of the blocks fast in the first round of their 137-pound catchweight Muay Thai battle, but Koshimizu pulled ahead by testing Joker with unorthodox high kicks and combinations inside the pocket.

His frenzied attacks continued in the second, but he found himself downed by a well-timed left hook from Joker. Knowing he had to respond, the 24-year-old went hell for leather and found a home for his right hand before the end of the frame.

Having regained his composure, Koshimizu put a cap on proceedings in the final stanza. He bullied his Thai foe against the ropes, crippled him with brutal body shots, then unloaded heavy combinations to force a finish at the 0:54 mark, securing the sixth win of his professional career.

Ishiguro Victorious Against Sagae in First ONE Friday Fights Grappling Bout

Shoya Ishiguro Toshiyasu Sagae ONE Friday Fights 55 11

Shoya Ishiguro and Toshiyasu Sagae broke new ground when they took part in the first-ever submission grappling bout at a ONE Friday Fights event. 

The all-Japan bantamweight battle was fought at a blistering pace, with both men seeking out leg entanglements throughout. However, neither BJJ black belt managed to convert their positions into a legitimate leg lock threat against their skilled rival. 

In the end, it was Ishiguro’s top pressure – which included a pass to mount – that earned him the unanimous decision nod from the judges and a debut victory. 

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Ayaka Miura Vs. Jihin Radzuan Atomweight MMA Battle Added To ONE Fight Night 21 https://www.onefc.com/news/ayaka-miura-vs-jihin-radzuan-atomweight-mma-battle-added-to-one-fight-night-21/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:18:47 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/6588fab6f4c64d05b03cf05732d97d4c5f545f20

A pivotal women’s atomweight MMA contest is headed to ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video.

On April 5 in U.S. primetime, former ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Title challenger Ayaka “Zombie” Miura will square off with current #5-ranked atomweight MMA contender Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

These athletes are at very different stages of their MMA careers ahead of this high-stakes showdown.

After spending years in the upper echelon of the strawweight division, Miura dropped down to atomweight in January at ONE 165, securing an impressive decision victory over her Japanese compatriot Itsuki Hirata.

“Zombie” will now continue her climb toward the atomweight MMA gold and look to steal Jihin’s spot in the top five with a win.

For “Shadow Cat,” this fight marks a quick turnaround and a chance to redeem herself following a decision loss to undefeated phenom Chihiro Sawada at ONE Fight Night 20 earlier in March.

Now a veteran of 12 bouts in the world’s largest martial arts organization and a skilled all-around competitor, the Malaysian star hopes to bounce back and resume her own World Title chase.

Beyond the implications for the atomweight MMA rankings, the clash between Miura and Jihin should produce plenty of action.

Thanks to her world-class judo, a trademark “Ayaka Lock” submission, and soul-crushing physicality, “Zombie” established herself as one of the strawweight division’s most feared and powerful wrestlers.

The fact that Miura has carried that immense strength down to the lower weight class is a scary proposition for any opponent.

For her part, Radzuan is an aggressive technician who’s equally capable of trading blows on the feet as she is hunting for submissions on the mat, making her a difficult puzzle to solve for even the most experienced foes.

Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news and announcements about ONE Fight Night 21 on April 5.

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ONE Friday Fights 55 – Results And Highlights For Every Fight https://www.onefc.com/news/one-friday-fights-55-results-and-highlights-for-every-fight/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:07:23 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/cf5722979f5668849f6950ffbf2e7427f2ed54db

After an enthralling doubleheader, ONE Championship returns to the Thai capital for another installment of its weekly Asia primetime event series.

On March 15, the world’s largest martial arts organization will broadcast ONE Friday Fights 55 live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and the 12-bout card features a diverse range of Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, and submission grappling matches.

In the main event, Thai star Avatar PK Saenchai looks to win his fifth straight fight in ONE and earn a coveted six-figure contract with the promotion. But he’ll need to get past undefeated Russian striker Kiamran Nabati, who plans to keep his perfect record intact and secure a contract of his own.

The lineup also features #3-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender Taiki Naito, surging Russian knockout artist Natalia Diachkova, Scottish sensation Stephen Irvine, and three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Panthep VK Khaoyai.

Plus, two of Japan’s brightest talents will compete in the first-ever submission grappling match in ONE Friday Fights history.

For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights, check below.

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Kade Ruotolo To Face Francisco Lo In Catchweight Submission Grappling Match At ONE Fight Night 21 https://www.onefc.com/news/kade-ruotolo-to-face-francisco-lo-in-catchweight-submission-grappling-match-at-one-fight-night-21/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:58:11 +0000 https://www.onefc.com/guid/d74249d2cb034cb753807610b2b15c0981c3a4b6

Reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo will soon return to action in a 180-pound non-title match that promises fireworks for as long as it lasts.

On April 5 in U.S. primetime, the 21-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom will take on promotional newcomer Francisco Lo at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video.

Ruotolo will be competing on the same card as his twin brother, Tye Ruotolo, who will defend his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title against Australian sensation Izaak Michell in the co-main event.

The lineup at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, is also headlined by a ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title fight between defending king Regian “The Immortal” Eersel and unbeaten challenger Alexis “Barboza” Nicolas.

Widely regarded as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound ground fighters, Kade has looked nothing short of dominant through five appearances in the world’s largest martial arts organization – four of which have been World Title fights.

In his most recent appearance in January at ONE 165, the California native secured his second consecutive victory over IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Tommy Langaker to solidify himself as the world’s best lightweight grappler.

While he was unable to secure the finish in that match, Ruotolo showcased his trademark relentless pacing and all-out aggression to put a stamp on his rivalry with the talented Norwegian.

On April 5, he’ll face a serious challenge in the form of Lo.

A BJJ black belt since May 2022, the 23-year-old Brazilian is one of the sport’s most dangerous and creative submission artists, capable of ending a match from seemingly any position.

Lo is an IBJJF American National Champion and a No-Gi Pan-American Champion, boasting notable wins over the likes of IBJJF World Champions Manuel Ribamar and Sebastian Rodriguez, as well as European Champion Mauricio Oliveira.

With his deep bag of submission tricks and fearless approach to grappling, the Checkmat representative will pose an intriguing stylistic test to the equally aggressive Ruotolo.

And for the lightweight submission grappling kingpin, this match represents a chance to test himself against another world-renowned competitor and remind fans why he’s one of the sport’s most electrifying athletes.

Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news and announcements about ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video.

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ONE Championship