4 Big Questions For The ONE Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix

The most epic tournament in martial arts for many years will begin at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON on Friday, 17 May when eight of the world’s best athletes go head-to-head.

All four quarter-finals of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix will take place in the Singapore Indoor Stadium as a stacked lineup of World Champions begin their quests to become the best striker on the planet.

Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan will face Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy, “The Hero” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex is set to meet Samy “AK47” Sana, Andy “Souwer Power” Souwer will go to battle with “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut, and Enriko “The Hurricane” Kehl is matched with Dzhabar Askerov.

This quartet of unmissable battles will only mark the beginning of the action, as the winners will then move on to the semi-finals, and then the final in the following months.

Of course, the main question on everyone’s lips is “who will win it all?” However, there are many more that will need to be answered before we can reach that conclusion. Here are just four of the most burning issues ahead of this historic World Grand Prix.

Can Anyone End Giorgio Petrosyan’s Unbeaten Run?

Petrosyan is widely regarded as being the best pound-for-pound kickboxer on the planet.

The Italian proved why with two flawless victories in The Home of Martial Arts last year. Those performances showcased his precise attacks and near-impenetrable defense, and extended his decade-long run at top of his sport.

It has been more than five years since he last tasted defeat, and that was only the second of his career. Overall, his record stands at 99-2-2 (1 NC), which is one of the reasons the two-time K-1 World Max Champion is one of the strong favorites to take the World Grand Prix crown.

However, though they are rare, his losses prove he is not unbeatable, and there are no athletes more likely to upset the 33-year-old than the warriors in the ONE Super Series tournament.

He has been knocked out, and most of the competitors in the bracket have serious stopping power in their strikes. He has also been held to a draw under kickboxing roles against two Thai athletes, so the three men from “The Land Of Smiles” – including his first opponent, Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy – may find a way to spoil his winning streak.

How Will Kickboxing Rules Affect Muay Thai Specialists?

Some of the best Muay Thai practitioners in the world will enter the World Grand Prix, but they will have to adapt to kickboxing rules.

This means the arsenal of “the art of eight limbs” will be reduced with the removal of elbow strikes and clinch work from match-ups.

At first glance, that might put some of the competitors at a disadvantage against Petrosyan, Kehl, and Souwer, who are renowned in fast-paced, high-volume attacks under kickboxing rules.

However, many of the Muay Thai specialists are accomplished kickboxers in their own right. Yodsanklai, Sana, Nattawut, and Petchmorakot have all shown that in ONE Super Series. Askerov has not had that chance, but he has multiple World Titles in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Though they would probably rather have all their weapons available, they may not be too far out of their comfort zone. Though against such elite operators, a small lapse in any part of their game could prove to be decisive.

Can Anyone Handle Yodsanklai’s Power?

Another one of the tournament favorites is another athlete who is riding a long winning streak.

“The Hero” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex has not lost a match for almost seven years, and it has not looked likely that his run would come to an end in The Home Of Martial Arts. Two awesome knockouts followed a dominant unanimous decision helped to maintain his status as one of the most powerful martial artists on the planet.

The Thai icon is excited by the World Grand Prix, and would love a match with Petrosyan in the final, but he is concerned about having to use 10-ounce boxing gloves instead of the four-ounce mixed martial arts equipment he has worn in ONE so far.

However, most of the 76 other knockouts in his career show he has more than enough force in his fists to deal out enough damage, and his knees and kicks will not be blunted in the slightest.

If anyone should be concerned, it is the 33-year-old’s opponents – beginning with Samy “AK47” Sana.

Can A New Legend Emerge?

There is no better path to global superstardom in martial arts than through the ONE Super Series Featherweight World Grand Prix bracket.

Some entrants – Souwer, Yodsanklai, and Petrosyan – are bonafide legends already, with iconic careers that spanned decades, crossed continents, and made them heroes all over the world.

The rest are all elite operators and World Champions, but they are yet to experience the kind of fame and notoriety reserved for the most beloved athletes.

However, everyone in the martial arts sphere will know their names if they can win three bouts against the very best and win the biggest honor of their career.