3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS
ONE Championship usually brings some special bouts to events in its home of Singapore, and ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS will be no different.
The man and co-main event match-ups – the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title match between Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Saemapetch Fairtex, and Amir Khan vs. Ev “E.T.” Ting – will have fans more hyped than any other, but there should be plenty more to get you out of your seat this Friday, 22 November.
These are just three of the undercard bouts – as selected by the onefc.com editorial team – that could win fans’ votes for the bout of the night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
#1 Troy Worthen Vs. Chen Lei
“Pretty Boy” Troy Worthen may only be entering his second contest in ONE Championship, but big things are already expected of the Evolve representative following his debut demolition of Chen Rui.
The American NCWA Wrestling Champion took his rival to the canvas and unleashed a torrent of ground and pound to secure the victory, which left fans wondering whether any bantamweight can stand up to his wrestling skill and striking power.
“Rock Man” Chen Lei could be that man. The Chinese athlete is renowned for his ability to absorb punishment and come back from the brink of defeat to claim victory.
The Chinese athlete has five victories in The Home Of Martial Arts, and four of those have come inside the distance.
Worthen might press forward, but “Rock Man” will not break, and he has the tools – whether he is standing or on the ground – to dispatch his rival.
#2 Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy Vs. Charlie Peters
After a detour to the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix, Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy will be back to doing what he does best in Singapore under Muay Thai rules.
That means some of the 25-year-old’s most dangerous techniques will be unleashed for the first time in The Home Of Martial Arts for almost a year.
The Bangkok native sometimes takes a few minutes to get into his groove, but once he does, he is capable of overwhelming opponents by pouring on offense – whether that is at range with his stiff jab and body kicks, or up close with his powerful elbows.
However, it would be a mistake to assume he will have an easy path to victory because his opponent is one of the most dangerous nak muay from the West. Charlie Peters is fast, powerful, and aggressively pursues the knockout in every match.
“Charlie Boy” is known for his head kicks, but also has the heavy hands and technical skill that could give him the advantage in boxing exchanges.
Whatever shape this match-up takes, it would be no surprise to see a toe-to-toe battle where each man takes risks to go for the finish.
#3 Bruno Pucci Vs. Shuya Kamikubo
Grappling aficionados will want to pay attention to this battle of Brazil vs. Japan, as Bruno “Puccibull” Pucci makes his first appearance at bantamweight against Shuya “Stealth” Kamikubo.
Kamikubo has established himself as one of his division’s most imposing competitors with a trio of wins against increasingly tough opponents on the global stage.
The DEEP Tournament Champion’s explosive takedowns, stifling top control, and dangerous ground and pound have all contributed to his dominant performances and taken his record to 11-1-1.
However, if there is a contender that would have no fear about going to the ground with “Stealth,” it is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu no-gi World Champion, Pucci. The Evolve representative is always on the hunt for a finish when a contest ends up on the canvas, and he has claimed all but one of his wins by submission.
“Puccibull” may not even try to initiate the takedown, because he has a wicked guillotine choke that he can use to counter aggressive wrestlers if they shoot in with their necks exposed.
If Kamikubo has any concern about that, you can expect him to try and test his rival’s chin on the feet, but if not, the smart prediction is for a wild, scrambling battle on the canvas with a good chance of a finish.
Read more: Top 5 KOs From The Stars Of ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS
