Azizpour Overcomes Early Pressure, Knocks Out Debuting Londt

Every punch that Iraj Azizpour threw at Ismael “Mr. Pain” Londt had KO written all over it. Ultimately, it was a left hook in round two that finished the Surinamese-Dutch star at ONE: LIGHTS OUT on Friday, 11 March.

The two heavyweight kickboxers met in a 273-pound catchweight bout at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and it was clear from the opening bell that the fight wasn’t going the distance.

However, it looked as if the debuting Londt would emerge as the quick victor after he leaped into the air with flying knees that nearly shaved the grizzled Iranian’s beard off.

“Mr. Pain” then rotated between left and right hooks, forcing Azizpour to shimmy away to avoid getting clobber-knocked by a man whose arms seemed to resemble tree trunks.

Finding his flow and thinking quickly, Azizpour then sent a stunner of a left hand through Londt’s guard, which slowed his rival until the bell sounded to end the opening stanza.

Londt came out of his corner in round two as he had in the first – fast and powerful. But it was obvious that Azizpour had rethought his game plan while on the stool.

Instead of sitting on the Circle Wall like a still target, the Iranian used his footwork to dance around his hulking foe. Then, in a flash, he pelted “Mr. Pain” with a right hand that floored him.

Londt returned to his feet and beat the referee’s eight-count, but he was clearly shaken up. Azizpour needed just one more clean left hook to put the Surinamese-Dutch star away for good, and it came at the 2:10 mark of the second round.

The knockout victory nudged Azizpour’s kickboxing record to 67-4 and brought him a chin hair closer to being one of the first men to contest for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title.

Read more: ONE: LIGHTS OUT – Results And Highlights For Every Fight