5 Burning Questions Ahead Of ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee Vs. Nong-O II
On May 2 in U.S. primetime, the world’s largest martial arts organization will return with a must-watch fight card loaded with high-stakes matchups.
Topped by a hotly anticipated Muay Thai rematch, ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Prime Video will go down in front of a raucous Thai crowd at Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
Every bout on the card is designed to produce fireworks – and each stands to make an impact on the global martial arts scene.
With the action going down this Friday, these are five burning questions that will be answered when the ONE superstars take to the ring.
#1 Can Nong-O Use Lessons Learned To Even The Score With Kongthoranee?
In February at ONE Fight Night 28, former long-reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama made his ONE flyweight debut with plenty of fanfare, but after three fast-paced rounds of battle with Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, he lost a closely contested split decision.
The 38-year-old Thai icon will now have his shot at redemption.
He’s vowed to pick up the aggression and hunt for the finish in this rematch, and if he secures the victory, Nong-O would likely steal Kongthoranee’s #3 spot in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings.
Given his wealth of World Championship experience and fight-tested veteran savvy, Nong-O can never be counted out. But with his athletic prime in the rearview, can he prove that he still belongs among the best of the best strikers on the planet?
#2 Who Wins The Epic Rubber Match Between Ruotolo And Leon?
The card’s co-main event will see reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo put his gold on the line against a familiar foe in Dante Leon. The pair have met twice before outside of ONE, with each man picking up a hard-fought victory.
In the years since those two matches, Ruotolo and Leon have gone on to establish themselves as pound-for-pound powerhouses, and each boasts an unbeaten record in ONE.
Now, the stage is set for a trilogy match of epic proportions with the most prestigious prize in the sport up for grabs.
A win for either the American titleholder or the hard-charging Canadian challenger will not only secure 26 pounds of gold but further cement the victor as one of grappling’s all-time greats.
#3 Will Time Away Affect Liam Nolan?
Following a loss in early 2024, British striking sensation “Lethal” Liam Nolan called it quits on his professional Muay Thai career. But after receiving a personal phone call from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the 27-year-old re-evaluated his plans and decided to continue competing.
Renowned for his precise striking and clean technique, Nolan now hopes to display his renewed motivation when he takes on late-notice replacement Abolfazl Alipourandi in an explosive lightweight Muay Thai clash.
In a division that’s hungry for World Title challengers, “Lethal” knows that a victory would do wonders for his climb toward the gold – but will his time on the sidelines and brief retirement impact his performance?
#4 Will Recent Contract Winners Rise To The Occasion?
Fans are in for a treat when recent ONE Friday Fights contract winners Akif “King” Guluzada and Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev make their U.S. primetime Muay Thai debuts.
Still just 19 years old, Azerbaijan’s Guluzada racked up a trio of thrilling victories at the weekly Asia primetime event series, quickly establishing himself as one of the sport’s most dangerous young stars and a fan favorite.
“King” has been given no easy test for his ONE Fight Night debut, as he’ll take on powerful Filipino-American scrapper Sean “The One” Climaco in an intriguing flyweight tilt.
Later on in the card, Dayakaev will look to announce himself as a bantamweight Muay Thai contender when he squares off with long-tenured superstar and former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex.
The 23-year-old Russian shined at ONE Friday Fights, displaying his absurd punching power and savage finishing instincts – skills that will make for a compelling stylistic clash against Saemapetch’s venomous counter-striking and willingness to engage in a brawl.
#5 Can Jordan Estupinan Continue The Twin Takeover?
ONE Fight Night 31 will kick off with a flyweight Muay Thai barnburner as 22-year-old phenom Jordan Estupinan faces off with Russian knockout artist Ali Saldoev.
Like his twin brother, #5-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Johan Estupinan, Jordan boasts an unblemished professional record and a high-flying, ultra-aggressive style that’s taken the martial arts world by storm.
After his unforgettable promotional debut against Freddie Haggerty in January, Estupinan will look to keep his momentum going and continue the brotherly takeover in ONE.
The young Colombian will have his hands full against the always-dangerous Saldoev, who will be determined to bounce back from the first defeat of his pro career.
