Josh Tonna Comes From Behind To Defeat Yoshihisa Morimoto In KL

Josh Tonna defeats Yoshihisa Morimoto

ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY got off to a fast and furious start thanks to a ONE Super Series kickboxing encounter between Australia’s Josh “Timebomb” Tonna and Japan’s Yoshihisa “Mad Dog” Morimoto.

After three rounds of non-stop action on Friday, 12 July inside the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tonna earned the win by unanimous decision.

However, the Aussie had to come from behind in order to claim the victory.

Australia’s Josh Tonna kicks off ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY in style with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Yoshihisa Morimoto!

Australia’s Josh TimeBomb Tonna kicks off ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY in style with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Yoshihisa Morimoto!????: Check local listings for global TV broadcast????: Watch on the ONE Super App ????http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp

Posted by ONE Championship on Friday, July 12, 2019

“Timebomb” took the center of the ring quickly and established his jab, but it only took a few moments for his flyweight rival to work his way into the contest.

Morimoto, who represents Bring It On Paraestra AKK, quickened the pace, but he stayed loose as he mixed up his strikes. Hard punches to the head and body – particularly with his right hand – combined with a variety of kicks gave the 28-year-old Tokyo native an early lead after the first three-minute period.

However, Tonna has a reputation for slow starts, and the ISKA K-1 World Champion turned up the volume in round two, which had “Mad Dog” moving backward.

Yoshihisa Morimoto vs Josh Tonna DC 2381.jpg

The Japanese athlete soon found his rhythm again and turned the action into a toe-to-toe contest, but a big counter right hook from “Timebomb” shook Morimoto. He recovered quickly and began to fire back, but perhaps not enough to stop the Aussie from taking the round.

As both men came out of their corners for the final stanza, the contest was hanging in the balance. “Mad Dog” had the man from Canberra up against the ropes early, but again, Tonna restored parity as he marched forward with heavy strikes.

They went back and forth again until the final bell, but a head kick landed clean and a barrage of knees from “Timebomb” caught the eye, and it looked like that would tip the balance in his favor.

Yoshihisa Morimoto vs Josh Tonna DC 3183.jpg

Sure enough, all three judges gave the 31-year-old the unanimous decision nod, and he picked up his second win in ONE Championship.

That also improved the Stockade Training Centre and MuayU representative’s overall record to 33-17.

More in News

John Ghazali and Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat
Marat Grigorian Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong ONE 165 50
Alexis Nicolas Magomed Magomedov ONE Friday Fights 47 39
Xiong Jing Nan Stamp Fairtex Jonathan Haggerty Superlek Kiatmoo9 for ONE 168: Denver
Duke Didier stands in the Circle at ONE 158
Seksan Or Kwanmuang River Daz ONE Friday Fights 46 98
Tawanchai PK Saenchai Superbon Singha Mawynn ONE Friday Fights 46 61
Izaak Michell ONE Championship
Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree Kongklai Annymuaythai ONE Friday Fights 24
Stamp Fairtex Denice Zamboanga
Alexis Nicolas Magomed Magomedov ONE Friday Fights 47 6
Jacob Smith Walter Goncalves ONE Fight Night 17 22