5 Incredible Performances From The Stars Of ONE: FISTS OF FURY
The stars of ONE: FISTS OF FURY are capable of some truly sensational feats — something they’ve showcased time after time on the global stage.
When they step into the Circle next at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 26 February, there’s a good chance that fans will be treated to more stunning displays.
The matchups are evenly balanced, and there is a lot at stake, so every combatant will be motivated to bring their best.
Ahead of the stacked card in “The Lion City,” we relive five of the greatest performances from the evening’s major players.
Ennahachi’s World Title-Winning Debut
Ilias Ennahachi was already a decorated striker before he joined ONE Super Series, but his World Title-winning debut against Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD in August 2019 brought his skills to the global audience.
Petchdam had blasted his way to four straight ONE victories with his powerful arsenal, but in the opening two frames, the Dutch-Moroccan star showed that he could take it all and fire back.
Ennahachi absorbed shots that had dispatched the Thai’s previous rivals and still stood his ground to reply. The SB Gym representative also displayed his versatility by utilizing a powerful barrage of punches, deft kicks, and sweeps.
By round three, Ennahachi’s confidence was high and he was on the front foot, taking the fight to the Petchyindee Academy man. He clipped his foe with a left hook that set up the first knockdown and then unleashed a follow-up salvo to finish the job and win the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship.
The second defense of his crown will come against another Muay Thai superstar on 26 February.
Superlek Overcomes A Fierce Rival
Superlek 🇹🇭 kicks off ONE: NO SURRENDER with a superb win!
“The Kicking Machine” Superlek 🇹🇭 kicks off ONE: NO SURRENDER with a win over top-ranked Muay Thai flyweight Panpayak! How to watch ONE: NO SURRENDER 👉 bit.ly/nshowtowatch
Posted by ONE Championship on Friday, July 31, 2020
After a formidable run on the Bangkok Muay Thai circuit, “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 entered ONE Super Series with hopes of expanding his fan base internationally.
However, it was an old foe that drew out one of his greatest performances, as he faced off against three-time Sports Writers of Thailand Fighter of the Year “The Angel Warrior” Panpayak Jitmuangnon at ONE: NO SURRENDER in July 2020.
The pair had met multiple times at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium, with Panpayak taking the spoils, but things were different on this occasion.
Superlek lived up to his moniker with thudding right kicks to the legs and body of “The Angel Warrior.” Panpayak fired back with his left hand, but the Kiatmoo9 man shook off the hard punches and carried on with his mission.
After three hard-fought rounds, “The Kicking Machine” got the much-deserved decision win, which pushed his record to 3-0 in ONE Super Series Muay Thai.
He then made the switch to kickboxing and began his campaign by defeating Fahdi “The Gladiator” Khaled at ONE: A NEW BREED II last September to earn his World Title shot against Ennahachi.
- Rodtang Excited To Begin March Toward Kickboxing Glory
- Superlek Sees Weaknesses In Ennahachi, Eyes Rodtang Super-Fight
- Kickboxing GOAT Petrosyan Motivated To Continue Building Legacy
‘The Doctor’ Bags A Cool Million
It seems like every Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan victory is a stellar showcase of martial arts wizardry, but none of them were more important than his ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final-winning effort against Samy “AK47” Sana at ONE: CENTURY PART II in October 2019.
With a US$1-million prize on the line, “The Doctor” was once again surgical as he dissected another dangerous opponent inside the Circle.
His trademark lead hook-left cross combination constantly pummeled the Frenchman, as Petrosyan cut angles to stay out of danger while landing hard shots. He also battered the legs of his taller rival when he punctuated his boxing salvos with low kicks.
Even as “AK47” tried to turn up the heat, “The Doctor” stayed calm under pressure and romped to a decisive victory on the scorecards to claim the silver Grand Prix belt.
Next, Petrosyan will face Georgian striker Davit Kiria at ONE: FISTS OF FURY, with the winner almost certainly going on to compete for the inaugural ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship.
Rodtang Crushes Sok Thy
While his four wins in ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title contests were all sensational, Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon has never been as destructive as he was during his victory over Sok Thy at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT in May 2019.
The Thai’s marauding style was on full display, as he went after his Cambodian rival with a relentless volley of punches and low kicks to grab a second-round stoppage win.
Rodtang’s goal was clearly to run through Thy as quickly as possible. He battered his foe’s lead leg with his shin and punished his body with left hooks. It all started to add up at the end of the first frame when Thy crumpled to the canvas.
After coming out for the second, Rodtang stung the Cambodian with his jab and left hook to set up his right low kick again and again. Soon, Thy could take no more, and the referee mercifully waved off the contest.
Having proved himself in Muay Thai, Rodtang is ready for his much-anticipated kickboxing debut against Alejandro “El Puma” Rivas. If he gets the job done, the winner of the Ennahachi-Superlek main event will be squarely in his sights.
Akimoto Shows Character In Debut Win
Hiroki Akimoto made a massive statement in his ONE debut when he bludgeoned tough Aussie Josh “Timebomb” Tonna to win by decision at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT in January 2019.
The WFKO Karate World Champion held fast in the face of Tonna’s aggression and sought to find openings for his wide array of strikes. Akimoto punched, kicked, and kneed his advancing rival, before bringing Tonna to a halt with a crushing body kick.
It wasn’t just the offense of the Japanese star that was impressive. He grew in confidence and got loose after knocking down “Timebomb” for an eight-count, only to get hurt with a looping right hand himself.
However, Akimoto showed his spirit by dragging himself off the canvas and then getting back to business. He folded Tonna with another hard right kick to the body in round three that sealed the decision win in a well-rounded display.
The Evolve athlete is now set to face “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong in a rematch of their ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES II battle from October 2020.
Read more: 5 Spectacular KOs From The Stars Competing At ONE: FISTS OF FURY
