3 Explosive Reasons To Watch ONE Friday Fights 143 On February 20
ONE Championship continues its surging 2026 campaign with ONE Friday Fights 143 on February 20, another stacked card designed to thrill fans from the opening bell to the final horn.
Broadcasting live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, this showcase features explosive Muay Thai and kickboxing battles that promise non-stop action and career-defining moments.
International stars look to cement their cases for a life-changing US$100,000 contract, while some aim to reignite their campaigns with statement performances.
Before the opening bell rings inside the Madison Square Garden of the East, here are three reasons why ONE Friday Fights 143 demands your attention.
#1 Cohen Faces Another Tough Test In World Title Bid
Israeli slugger Shir Cohen returns to the ring in search of her fourth consecutive victory, and another dominant performance could position her for a shot at ONE Championship gold.
The 25-year-old Fairtex Training Center representative has looked nothing short of spectacular throughout her promotional journey. She’s gone a perfect 3-0 with performances that have showcased her evolution as a complete striker, blending technical precision with devastating power that’s made her one of the most dangerous women in the division.
The timing couldn’t be better for the Israeli slugger to make her statement, as the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title is set to be contested when divisional queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues faces “The Queen” Phetjeeja in the main event of ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video.
A fourth straight victory would make Cohen’s case undeniable and put her on the doorstep of the biggest opportunity of her career once more after an injury forced her to withdraw from her World Title fight against Rodrigues in June last year. However, standing in her path to title contention is one of Myanmar’s most dangerous striking exports, Vero.
The 29-year-old veteran enters this atomweight Muay Thai showdown at ONE Friday Fights 143 riding momentum from back-to-back victories over Junior Fairtex and Li “Miracle Girl” Mingrui. She brings veteran savvy, proven finishing ability, and experience – exactly the type of test Cohen needs to pass to continue her ascent.
Vero possesses the tools to derail the Israeli’s momentum and inject herself into the ONE World Title picture with an upset victory. But no one has been able to slow down the Fairtex Training Center warrior thus far, and she’ll look to keep that plot intact in this must-watch showdown.
#2 A Knockout Artist Returns In Search of Another Crushing Win
Thai dynamo Anon Taladkondernmuangpon has wasted zero time making an impact since arriving at ONE, building a 2-0 resume on two ferocious finishes. He returns to Lumpinee looking to make it three straight finishes and strengthen his case for the US$100,000 contract and a spot on the main roster.
He needed just two rounds to demolish Samsiblan Sor Sasawat at ONE Friday Fights 115. Then, three months later, he gave Belgian finishing machine Gianny “The Lion of Flanders” De Leu a taste of his own medicine with another second-round knockout to move to 82-20 in his career.
The N&P Boxing Gym affiliate combines technical precision with devastating power, making him one of the most exciting fighters in the division. However, Teeyai Torfunfarm, a battle-tested veteran, enters this strawweight Muay Thai tilt hungry for redemption.
The Thai striker sits on a three-fight losing streak, but dismissing him would be a critical mistake. Teeyai opened his ONE Championship tenure with back-to-back highlight-reel victories that showcased exactly the type of finishing power that could derail Anon’s perfect run on the global stage.
Knockout power exists on both sides, making this a high-risk, high-reward encounter for both men. Anon seeks to maintain perfection and edge closer to his contract, while Teeyai aims to play spoiler and return to winning ways inside Lumpinee.
When two strikers with proven finishing ability meet under these circumstances, the only guarantee is that someone’s night will end early.
#3 An All-Action Bantamweight Muay Thai Showdown
Nakrob Fairtex and Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree collide in a bantamweight Muay Thai showdown that has barnburner written all over it.
Between them, these two veterans have accumulated 27 promotional appearances, and if there’s one guarantee, it’s that they’ve consistently delivered value for every second of screen time.
Already contracted Nakrob has built his reputation on thrilling three-round wars and spectacular knockouts throughout his campaign in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Panrit is no different. The Superbon Training Camp slugger has emerged victorious inside the distance with his dangerous match-finishing power. The 29-year-old has looked equally solid in several fights that went down to the wire.
For Nakrob, this represents another opportunity to showcase why he’s already earned his spot on ONE Championship’s main roster. On Panrit’s end, the stakes couldn’t be higher: an impressive victory over a contracted athlete would dramatically strengthen his case for the life-changing six-figure contract that remains just out of reach.
As such, for as long as this clash lasts expect fireworks, drama, and the type of all-action war that could steal the show when the organization returns to the Thai capital with another blockbuster ONE Friday Fights card on February 20.
