5 Reasons Why Roman Kryklia Is Among The Baddest Men On The Planet
Roman Kryklia is one of the greatest stand-up martial artists in the world, and on Friday, 29 October, he’ll get the chance to cement that reputation even further.
At ONE: NEXTGEN, the reigning ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion will move up to heavyweight and compete for gold in a second division.
If he can defeat his old foe Iraj Azizpour and claim the ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title, Kryklia will prove that he has few equals when it comes to striking superiority.
Here are five reasons why the towering Ukrainian is among the baddest men on the planet.
#1 He’s A Decorated World Champion
Kryklia is already the king of ONE’s light heavyweight kickboxing division, and he can join an elite group of striking royalty if he earns two-sport gold against Azizpour.
On top of that, the Belarus resident was a very accomplished competitor before joining The Home of Martial Arts.
He claimed tournament titles from the likes of Kunlun Fight and A1, as well as a plethora of gold from other national, European, and international organizations.
#2 He’s One Of The Smartest In The Game
Going by his Gridin Gym motto of “intelligent boxing,” Kryklia is a cerebral fighter who values his ability to stay one step ahead with his movement and shot selection.
This separates him from many peers in the heavier kickboxing ranks, as many of them rely largely on brute force and aggression.
When opponents try to charge Kryklia down, they’re often picked off and introduced to the concussive power he possesses in every limb.
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#3 He’s Massive
Standing 200-centimeters tall and weighing more than 120 kilograms, Kryklia is an enormous human being.
Plus, there’s barely an ounce of fat on the Ukrainian, meaning it’s almost exclusively muscle that’s packed onto his frame.
Finally, his 212-centimeter wingspan means he has a range advantage over most of his foes. Combined with his incredible skill set, that length makes him an absolute nightmare to deal with.
#4 He’s Tournament Tough
One of the most difficult challenges in combat sports is the one-night tournament, and Kryklia has proved his mettle time and time again under that format.
In 2019, he squared things at 1-1 with Azizpour when he earned the Kunlun Fight Super Heavyweight Tournament Title with three victories in a matter of hours.
To date, the 30-year-old has won five one-night tournaments against tough opposition, so going up against one man on 29 October will not faze him.
#5 He’s Unbreakable
Not only does Kryklia have athleticism and skills – he has a chin that’s impossible to crack.
In 53 professional bouts, the Ukrainian has never been stopped, which is even more amazing when you consider the size and power of the men he’s gone up against.
It would take a superhuman effort to finish him, especially when there’s ONE gold on the line.
Read more: 4 Big Takeaways From ONE: FIRST STRIKE
