5 Reasons To Watch ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek Vs. Dayakaev On January 23
The world’s largest martial arts organization kicks off its 2026 U.S. primetime calendar in style with ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev on Prime Video.
Broadcasting live from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, January 23, the card will be topped by the long-awaited bantamweight Muay Thai showdown between knockout artists Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon and Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev.
Aside from the compelling headline attraction, the explosive lineup features pivotal matches with World Title implications, as well as exciting promotional newcomers and established stars who are eager to get the new year off to a rocking start.
That said, here are five reasons why you must watch ONE Fight Night 39 this Friday.
#1 A Main Event That’s Been Months In The Making
A brewing rivalry reaches its boiling point in the final match of the night.
Bantamweight Muay Thai knockout artists Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon and Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev were originally slated to settle their differences at ONE Fight Night 37 last November.
However, the Russian withdrew from the contest during fight week due to a staph infection, which forced officials to postpone this highly anticipated showdown.
Now fully healthy, these two warriors will finally slug it out to determine who climbs further up the divisional ladder.
Rambolek has been on a tear since joining Superbon Training Camp. Under the guidance of ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama, the 22-year-old Thai phenom has shown drastic improvements and extended his winning streak to four.
Meanwhile, Dayakaev has matched that momentum, notching four consecutive stoppage victories of his own. That includes his 24-second destruction of Nontachai Jitmuangnon at ONE Fight Night 33 last July, which netted him a US$50,000 performance bonus.
With a 75 percent finishing rate, “Smash Boy” will hunt for another bonus-worthy finish. But if Rambolek prevails, he could potentially challenge Dayakaev’s Team Mehdi Zatout stablemate – reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane – for the gold next.
Rest assured, the Algerian-Thai kingpin will be paying close attention to the action this Friday.
#2 World Title Contenders Could Emerge
The World Title challengers of tomorrow could emerge at ONE Fight Night 39, including in the co-main event, where Kongthoranee Sor Sommai‘s technical precision collides with Asadula Imangazaliev‘s controlled chaos.
A two-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, Kongthoranee is one of the most calculated counterstrikers on the roster. The 29-year-old has used lethal accuracy to topple elite names like Nong-O Hama, Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi, and Nakrob Fairtex.
However, the Thai seeks redemption after falling short in his last two contests, eager to prove he remains among the flyweight elite.
Standing across from him will be Imangazaliev, who’s hunting for the biggest win of his career. So far, no one has solved the undefeated Dagestani’s whirlwind of spinning strikes, flying knees, and axe kicks.
Even “The Angel Warrior” Panpayak Jitmuangnon fell prey to the 22-year-old, who knocked out the multi-time Muay Thai World Champion with a head kick in the first round of their ONE Friday Fights 122 main event battle last August.
Whoever emerges victorious at ONE Fight Night 39 will move one step closer to the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Elsewhere, a crucial atomweight MMA showdown pits Chihiro Sawada against Natalie Salcedo.
Sawada has relied on her wrestling expertise and suffocating grappling to build a 10-1 career record. The Japanese powerhouse enters the tilt on a two-bout winning streak, most recently dominating Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata at ONE 173 last November.
Salcedo, meanwhile, boasts a perfect 4-0 record. The Colorado Springs resident, who is a BJJ black belt armed with a Muay Thai background, impressed in her promotional debut, where she submitted Macarena Aragon inside a single round at ONE Fight Night 35 in September 2025.
The winner could position herself for a shot at the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title.
#3 A BJJ Phenom Makes Her ONE Debut
After conquering some of the most prestigious BJJ tournaments in the world at just 18 years old, Helena Crevar finally brings her talents to ONE Championship.
The American prodigy faces fellow debutant Teshya Noelani Alo in a 10-minute bantamweight submission grappling contest. This is a rematch from their colored belt days, where Crevar defeated the Hawaiian via penalty. Now, she seeks to re-assert her dominance on the global stage.
Honing her skills under the watchful eyes of legendary figures John Danaher and Gordon Ryan at Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, the teen star is dangerous from every position.
Crevar pairs textbook technique with unpredictable setups, making her a nightmare for opponents wherever the match goes.
Beyond her physical gifts, the youngest ADCC podium finisher in history also possesses a brilliant tactical mind. She is truly wise beyond her years.
An emphatic finish would solidify the hype, further proving why Crevar is considered a generational talent and the pound-for-pound best female grappler today.
#4 Undefeated MMA Fighters Can Make A Big Splash
A pair of unbeaten stars will look to leave a lasting first impression in their promotional debuts.
Marcos Aurelio enters his bantamweight MMA showdown against divisional mainstay Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang with a pristine 8-0 slate. The 21-year-old Brazilian boasts versatile skills, capable of ending fights with explosive striking or his underrated grappling repertoire.
Meanwhile, Arkansas native Chase “Mannimal” Mann brings a spotless 6-0 record with an impressive 80 percent finishing rate. The former powerlifter looks to fast-track his way to contention in the welterweight MMA division when he faces Isi “Doxz” Fitikefu.
Both men have unblemished records, and each competitor would like to maintain that while authoring statement victories to announce their arrival in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#5 First U.S. Primetime Event Of 2026
ONE Championship kicks off its 2026 U.S. primetime calendar with another explosive card filled with exhilarating MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling action.
However, it’s just a taste of what’s to come.
The promotion has set its sights on a record-breaking 72 events in 2026, including several Numbered Events, a dozen ONE Fight Night shows on Prime Video in U.S. primetime, and nearly 50 editions of the ONE Friday Fights series in Asia primetime.
It promises to be a massive year – and it all continues on January 23.
