3 Massive Reasons To Watch The Inner Circle 21 On July 10
Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium has never been short of incredible battles, and The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10, will deliver another unforgettable night of martial arts action for members streaming live and exclusively at live.onefc.com.
A ONE Strawweight MMA World Title rematch reopens old wounds at the top of the card, a Filipino legend steps into the most personal fight of his storied career in the co-main event, and three promotional unbeaten fighters put everything on the line for the chance to earn a life-changing six-figure contract.
Here are three reasons why The Inner Circle 21 is a must-watch event.
#1 A World Title Rematch Between Old Foes
The main event of The Inner Circle 21 features one of the most compelling rematches in recent memory. Joshua “The Passion” Pacio will defend his ONE Strawweight MMA World Title against Mansur Malachiev in a bout that promises to settle once and for all who deserves to reign supreme in the division.
These two met for the first time in October 2023 at ONE Fight Night 15 under very different circumstances. At that time, Pacio was the #1-ranked contender seeking redemption following a loss to Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks, while Malachiev was an undefeated Russian wrestling powerhouse. The bout was a chess match of position and control, with both fighters leaving absolutely everything in the ring.
The action was furious and unrelenting. Malachiev used his wrestling and top control, repeatedly putting Pacio on the canvas. Pacio threatened with his crisp striking and submission attempts, including a near-finish guillotine, but ultimately earned a unanimous decision that Malachiev felt should have gone the other way.
Malachiev has carried that loss with him ever since. Now, he has his opportunity to put on a dominant performance that leaves absolutely no room for interpretation or debate.
For Pacio, the situation is equally compelling but from a different perspective. The reigning ONE World Champion was far from impressed with his own performance in their first meeting.
This time, Pacio wants to deliver a masterclass performance and show why he is the most dominant strawweight king in ONE history.
#2 A Fight That Could Shape Folayang’s Future
In the co-main event, former three-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will face surging star Shozo “The Great Teacher” Isojima in a lightweight MMA contest that represents far more than just another bout on a card.
Folayang is arguably one of the most decorated and beloved fighters in ONE history. The 42-year-old Filipino icon has competed in 25 matches for the organization and holds the distinction of headlining the first ONE event in 2011.
Even the greatest fighters must eventually confront that reality. Folayang’s recent form has been uneven, with setbacks mounting against top-tier competition. Critics have begun to suggest that perhaps it’s time for the legend to hang up his gloves and transition into the next chapter of his life. These whispers grew louder after Folayang himself hinted in a recent interview that the result of this bout could determine his future in the sport.
Standing across from him is Isojima, a fighter who is 14 years younger and represents the new generation of talent in ONE. What makes this bout so compelling is the existential weight it carries.
A victory could extend Folayang’s legacy and prove the doubters wrong. A loss could signal the end of one of martial arts’ great stories.
Either way, The Inner Circle 21 may very well be the stage where “Landslide’s” ONE journey reaches its conclusion.
#3 Life-Changing Contract Opportunities For Surging Stars
Three fighters are also on the verge of claiming life-changing US$100,000 contracts with ONE. What makes their respective journeys so impressive is that each has maintained an extraordinary win rate of more than 90 percent.
The most prominent name chasing a contract is 18-year-old Thai phenom Detchawalit Silkmuaythai, who will face Tom Casse in a bantamweight Muay Thai war. Detchawalit has been nothing short of sensational in his ONE Friday Fights appearances, compiling four knockouts in as many matches and establishing himself as one of the most explosive strikers on the circuit. His most impressive performance came against Myanmar’s Saw Min Min, who he disposed of in just 25 seconds.
If Detchawalit can secure another victory or, ideally, another knockout, he could leave Lumpinee Stadium as a contracted athlete and member of ONE’s global roster.
In a featherweight Muay Thai bout, French striker Elies Abdelali will meet Turkish standout Ali Kelat in a matchup that could see either fighter claim a main roster spot.
Abdelali, 23 years old, has been impressive throughout his ONE Friday Fights run, compiling a victory over seasoned Thai veteran PTT Apichart Farm, a TKO triumph over former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov, and another knockout victory over Hicham Zerouali. Now, his professional record stands at an impressive 11-1.
Kelat has been equally impressive with three dominant victories in the weekly event series. In less than a year, he has demolished every opponent placed in front of him via knockout. He holds a professional record of 21-2. For either Abdelali or Kelat, a victory at The Inner Circle 21 could be the moment their lives change forever.
