5 Biggest Takeaways From ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty Vs. Lobo
Just a few days after Valentine’s Day, an immense love for martial arts filled the air at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty vs. Lobo.
The U.S. primetime event that went down this past Friday, February 16, thrilled ONE’s global fan base, as 18 of the world’s best athletes laid it all on the line in nine tremendous Muay Thai and MMA battles.
But before we look ahead to the historic ONE 166: Qatar scheduled for Friday, March 1, let’s take a step back and reflect on the five biggest takeaways from ONE Fight Night 19.
Haggerty Is The Undeniable Bantamweight Muay Thai King
Jonathan “The General” Haggerty made quick work of his bantamweight foes to capture the division’s Muay Thai and kickboxing belts in 2023. However, #4-ranked contender Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo questioned if Haggerty would be able to withstand his power in their main event showdown.
The Brit answered Lobo’s question and proved his championship mettle, and it took less than three full rounds.
After getting dropped and answering the referee’s eight-count to make it to the end of the opening stanza, Haggerty marched forward to open the second frame. He evened the playing field with a knockdown of his own. Despite falling to the canvas, the Brazilian challenger returned to his feet and kept firing away.
But just 45 seconds into the third round, the Englishman unleashed a crushing right hand to floor Lobo and retain his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
The list of contenders who are calling for a crack at Haggerty’s golden belts seems to be growing by the day. Even so, the two-sport king showed both fans and critics that he can withstand any storm that tries to blow the crown off his head.
Adiwang Is Back And Better Than Ever
At one point, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang stood near the top of the strawweight MMA division. However, a loss was not his biggest setback. The Filipino had to sit on the sidelines after tearing his ACL and watch the division move forward without him.
After his triumphant return in September 2023, Adiwang has rattled off two more decisive victories. His latest conquest came against former two-division ONE World Title challenger “Mini T” Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 19.
In that battle, it was clear that “Thunder Kid” had improved in every area of the game, as he used all of his weapons to overwhelm his Thai-Australian rival.
Adiwang is sitting on the doorstep of the top-five strawweight MMA rankings, signaling a remarkable comeback from his injury two years ago. A fourth consecutive win should help him break through once again.
Strawweights Continue To Deliver Across All Sports
Whether it was Muay Thai or MMA, ONE strawweight athletes brought the heat to Bangkok this past weekend. In addition to Adiwang, three other strawweight warriors got their hands raised in exciting battles inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
ONE newcomer Martyna Kierczynska stunned the Thai audience with her blitzkrieg against Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak. The Polish striker never stopped throwing until the Muay Thai match was called off in the second round.
In his MMA matchup against former divisional king Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta, Mansur Malachiev earned a victory with his improved striking , excellent grappling scrambles, and enduring heart.
When the first bell of the night rang, Thongpoon PK Saenchai marched out of his corner with a dominant 97-second TKO against Timur Chuikov. After the win, he made it clear that he wants Muay Thai gold around his waist.
Strawweight martial artists made a statement at ONE Fight Night 19 that they are, perhaps, the most exciting competitors across all divisions.
Tetsuka Emerges As Welterweight MMA Division’s Latest Threat
Hiroyuki Tetsuka continues to march toward a shot at the ONE Welterweight MMA World Championship. For the fourth time in just as many bouts, the “Japanese Beast” finished his match emphatically.
The 34-year-old took the fight right to Abraao “Bambao” Amorim and challenged the Brazilian at his own craft. With just three seconds remaining in the first round, Tetsuka tapped out the BJJ World Champion by armbar.
Tetsuka is showing his well-versed arsenal with back-to-back submission wins after back-to-back KO finishes. He is a threat whether standing or on the ground and a physical specimen to be reckoned with inside the ring.
With Christian “The Warrior” Lee back in the gym, Tetsuka is emerging as an interesting challenger for the Evolve and United MMA star’s title.
American Muay Thai Is Officially On The Rise
Luke “The Chef” Lessei and Eddie “Silky Smooth” Abasolo proudly represented American Muay Thai for their ONE Fight Night 19 featherweight banger. After nine minutes of adrenaline-packed action, they proved their roles as leading ambassadors for the sport in the United States.
It was not a pure gunslinging matchup either. Abasolo showed his trademark “Silky Smooth” moves, and Lessei threw in his spicy ingredients as “The Chef.” Lessei earned the win by a unanimous decision, but both men stood proudly at the bout’s conclusion.
Each displayed incredible technique and heart, endearing themselves to the global Muay Thai community. The exhilarating performances continued to garner respect for American athletes in the sport.
As both men continue to compete in the talent-rich featherweight division, they further ignite the U.S. Muay Thai movement. Following the close win, Lessei has undoubtedly gotten closer to the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title currently held by Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
