What Could Be Next For The Big Winners Of ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH?
ONE Championship ignited Ho Chi Minh City with its first all-ONE Super Series card on Friday, 6 September.
The world’s largest martial arts organization held its inaugural Vietnam event ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium, and the fans in attendance thoroughly enjoyed an evening of Muay Thai and kickboxing action.
There was a host of big-time performances from the world-class athletes competing at the historic show, but now, with the dust settled on an unforgettable night, we take a look at what could be next for the event’s biggest winners.
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao solidified his status as the king of his division on Friday night, but he did so by the narrowest of margins.
The Thai’s thunderous kicks and diverse attack helped him edge past 20-year-old Algerian phenom Brice “The Truck” Delval in an action-packed main event via split decision, and soon, he will be looking for his next challenger.
One possibility could be “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong, another international opponent who has made a blistering start to life in ONE Super Series. The Chinese star has reeled off three straight wins since joining The Home Of Martial Arts earlier this year. Most recently, he knocked out Tyler Hardcastle in highlight-reel fashion.
These two would undoubtedly set off fireworks if they were to meet in the Circle next.
Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat
“No. 1” Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat stole the show on home soil as he knocked out Malaysia’s Azwan Che Wil with 15 seconds remaining in their flyweight Muay Thai encounter.
Now, with a successful ONE debut under his belt, another all-action opponent could bring an even more spectacular performance out of the rising Vietnamese star.
That opponent could be ISKA K-1 World Champion and WMC Intercontinental Muay Thai Champion Josh “Timebomb” Tonna. The Australian is a battle-hardened veteran who is known to get stronger and stronger the longer his bouts progress.
Not only would this represent a step up in competition for Duy Nhat, but it would also provide a willing dance partner for another crowd-pleasing affair. And, should the Vietnamese star win, it could put him on a path towards the flyweight division’s biggest names.
Anderson Silva
Brazilian knockout artist Anderson “Braddock” Silva added another name to his list of victims with a first-round knockout of Russia’s Beybulat Isaev in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Sao Paulo native rocked Isaev two minutes into the first round, continued to pressure him with a relentless attack, and finished him off with a crushing uppercut.
Silva is happy to operate at either light heavyweight or heavyweight, so he has a myriad of options for his next match-up. However, one possibility could see him line up against Romanian powerhouse Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica.
Like Silva, the Superkombat Super Cruiserweight World Champion is coming off a big win, having most recently defeated Ibrahim “Mr. Cool” El Bouni in April. Stoica has the stature – and the power – to meet “Braddock” toe-to-toe in a meeting of two of the light heavyweight division’s most dangerous strikers.
Momotaro
Japanese striking ace Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera claimed the biggest victory of his career in Vietnam. He stopped Muay Thai legend Singtongnoi Por Telakun in just 41 seconds to earn the fastest knockout in ONE Super Series history.
The sky is the limit for “Momotaro,” and after getting such an eye-catching victory, a match-up against one of the sport’s elite flyweights surely beckons. One potential opponent could be another rising star with designs on ONE World Title glory — “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Superlek is moving his way up the flyweight ranks. The Thai already has two solid wins in ONE Super Series, as well as a previous victory over former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.
If “Momotaro” and Superlek were to meet, it could elevate the winner to a World Title shot.
