3 Fights That Could Steal The Show At ONE 157
With two Muay Thai World Titles being contested, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals, and a pair of epic submission grappling battles, ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot promises spectacular martial arts action this Friday, 20 May.
The stacked card is brimming with talented athletes across four different sports who are eager to put fans on the edge of their seats.
There are many options to choose from, but we’ve picked out three fights that are all but guaranteed to leave a lasting impression at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
#1 Rodtang Jitmuangnon Vs. Jacob Smith
On paper, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal between reigning divisional king Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and promotional newcomer Jacob Smith might look like a mismatch.
But while Rodtang is certainly a favorite to claim the tournament’s prestigious silver belt, both of these strikers will bring aggression, power, and speed to this intriguing battle.
The Thai megastar is putting his flawless 10-0 record in ONE Super Series on the line, and he knows victory number 11 won’t come easy. In fact, he’s labeled Smith the “most dangerous” contender in the Grand Prix and admits he sees no flaws in the Englishman’s striking arsenal.
Meanwhile, the rising debutant wants to get his ONE tenure off to a dream start against the biggest name in Muay Thai. Smith has overcome difficult personal challenges to reach this point and plans to meet “The Iron Man” head-on.
With so much at stake, fans can expect a heated contest at ONE 157.
#2 Shinya Aoki Vs. Kade Ruotolo
Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Kade Ruotolo will meet in the night’s first submission grappling match, and this showdown between experience and youth should be an absolute treat.
The 39-year-old Aoki is a former ONE Lightweight World Champion who’s recorded 30 tapout wins in his legendary MMA career.
His nickname translates to “The Grand Master of Flying Submissions,” and he’s capable of finishing any opponent on the canvas, regardless of their skill set.
On the other side, Ruotolo is one of the hottest rising stars in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world.
The 19-year-old phenom will bring relentless energy into this matchup and aims to make a statement in his highly anticipated ONE debut.
The young prodigy already holds a 17-2 submission grappling record and anticipates a “dirty” battle against the Japanese veteran. He has also promised to fight fire with fire when they square off inside the Circle.
There’s plenty of motivation for both men to seal a triumph, and they should put it all on the line when they meet in “The Lion City.”
#3 ‘Wondergirl’ Vs. Zeba Bano
Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak and Zeba “Fighting Queen” Bano are both dangerous strikers, so viewers can expect a finish when they clash at ONE 157.
However, that stoppage could come from an unlikely source – a submission.
This bout will mark “Wondergirl’s” debut in mixed martial arts, and the Muay Thai sensation will look to showcase her improving ground skills against the promotional newcomer.
She’s been preparing for this moment over the past couple of years, amassing a few gi and no-gi medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while earning a blue belt in “the gentle art.”
On the other side, Bano sports a flawless 6-0 MMA record – with four knockouts and one submission – and wants to make a name for herself on the global stage.
The Indian upstart can do that by taking out “Wondergirl,” while the Thai hopes to prove that she can be a force in the all-around sport.
Both athletes will look to strike as soon as the opening bell rings, and the winner will announce themselves as a threat in the women’s strawweight MMA division.
