5 Reasons To Watch ONE Friday Fights 72 On July 26
There’s a massive lineup in store for ONE Friday Fights 72, with riveting battles from top to bottom that will appeal to combat sports fans of all stripes.
Multiple World Champions are among the 24 athletes preparing to throw down in Asia primetime this Friday, July 26, and every competitor is aiming to entertain the knowledgeable Lumpinee Stadium crowd.
Here are five reasons to watch the exciting card at the iconic venue in Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 Two Thrilling Styles In The Main Event
At the top of the bill, Kongsuk Fairtex faces Joachim Ouraghi in a flyweight Muay Thai clash.
Two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongsuk is back to winning ways and wants to bring his elite stadium experience into the upper echelon of ONE.
The Thai has a tough nut to crack in Ouraghi, and he’ll pit his skillful kicking game against the aggressive boxing attack of his French-Algerian rival.
ONE Friday Fights has consistently offered up riveting matchups between the more traditional Thais and the boxing-heavy foreign stars, and no two bouts ever look the same.
Sometimes it’s the pacing and experience of the home favorite that wins out, and sometimes it’s the aggression of their opponent – only event day can show whose game is the strongest.
#2 A Former Heavyweight World Title Challenger Returns
It’s rare to see the giants on show at ONE Friday Fights, so the Lumpinee Stadium crowd will be excited at the prospect of Alex “The Viking” Roberts and Beybulat Isaev’s light heavyweight Muay Thai encounter.
The global fan base was introduced to Roberts when he challenged Roman Kryklia for the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title in December, and he’s looking to rebound from that loss against another top opponent.
Both men are Muay Thai World Champions outside of ONE, with “The Viking” holding the WBC strap and Isaev the WMC king – so this is a huge fight with implications for the World Title picture.
With the knockout potential high every time the big boys collide, the local audience and those tuning in worldwide should not take their eyes off this gargantuan battle.
#3 The Younger Haggerty Is Back
Freddie Haggerty is on the way to forging his own name in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
As the younger brother of reigning two-sport ONE World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, the 19-year-old has big shoes to fill, but he rose to the occasion by knocking out Dankalong Sor Dechapan in his January debut.
This time, Haggerty will take on Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang, who is also 1-0 in ONE.
Like many Thais in the sport, Kaichon has an advantage in experience, but Haggerty’s firepower could be the great equalizer when they go toe-to-toe.
Kaichon could try to make things uncomfortable for Haggerty with his strong clinch game and elbows, but he’ll have to fend off some heavy punches and kicks to get there.
#4 There’s Much More Than Muay Thai
Although “the art of eight limbs” always has the heart of fans at Lumpinee Stadium, supporters will also get to see different styles.
A lightweight submission grappling bout between Banpot “The Machine” Lertthaisong and Craig Hutchison will open the show, before Will “Warfare” Drewitt and Sumit “Lion” Bhyan duke it out in the lightweight MMA ranks.
After that, Akif “King” Guluzada and Haruto Yasumoto will complete the rule sets in their 128-pound catchweight kickboxing bout that is guaranteed to be fought at a relentless pace.
#5 Someone Could Earn A Six-Figure Contract
As always, the fighters will give it their all with the possibility of a life-changing six-figure contract on offer.
It’s not every week that one gets handed out, but when they are, it’s only for the most exciting performers who can wow the fans with their martial arts prowess.
Knowing their path could be altered and their family’s lives bettered by earning a deal to compete on the organization’s global roster, the ONE Friday Fights athletes come to make a big impression – and that’s why the weekly show has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining sporting spectacles in the world.
