Hirata, Kadestam, Martin Kick Off ONE On Prime Video 1 With Big Wins
ONE Championship returned to North American primetime television with ONE on Prime Video 1 on Friday, August 26, and the lead card has already lived up to the event’s prestigious billing.
So far, there have been thrilling fights with dramatic conclusions, and even a shocking 57-second knockout. And the night has only just begun.
Here’s what happened on the ONE on Prime Video 1 lead card.
Diandra Martin Punishes Amber Kitchen With Pressure
Diandra Martin took on Amber “AK 47” Kitchen in a Muay Thai thriller as both women sought to overcome prior losses in their respective ONE Championship debuts.
Kitchen came out kicking to start the 128-pound catchweight tilt, and the two quickly tangled in the clinch. The long-legged athletes utilized their reach to drop flurries of strikes and pressured one another around the Circle.
Martin increased her output as the rounds progressed, forcefully feeding “AK 47” punches that slowed her British foe down. The Australian maintained her dominant performance until the end of the fight, pressing Kitchen around the Circle and landing significant strikes to earn the unanimous decision.
With the win, Martin improved her record to 11-3-1. In her post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, the 27-year-old requested strawweight Jackie Buntan as her next opponent. Only time will tell if that bout happens next.
Late Knockdown Propels Itsuki Hirata Past Lin Heqin
“MMA Sister” Lin Heqin picked apart “Android 18” Itsuki Hirata with her pinpoint striking early in their 119-pound catchweight MMA fight, but the Tokyo native connected with a big shot to turn the tide late in the match to help her earn a unanimous decision victory.
Lin cleverly peppered Hirata with punches and repeatedly attacked her opponent’s legs all night long, even causing superficial damage on the back of her left leg.
“Android 18” tried to bring the match to the ground and even attempted to lock in a kimura toward the end of round two, but the Chinese athlete did well to keep the action mostly upright.
However, the slick Japanese grappler turned to her improved striking in the waning moments of the bout and dropped her rival with a beautiful overhand right. She followed up with ground punches, but time in the fight had run out.
In the end, that near-finish was enough for the judges to award Hirata the nod. Following the bout, “Android 18” told Chilson she hopes to avenge her only career loss to Jihin Radzuan next.
Zebaztian Kadestam Levels Iuri Lapicus With Sizzling Uppercut
Former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam kicked off the action with a mesmerizing 57-second knockout of Iuri Lapicus in their 189-pound catchweight MMA bout.
The Swede looked exceptionally sharp from the opening bell as he tested Lapicus with a jumping knee and effortlessly defended his rival’s offense.
A sliver of space opened when the Moldovan came forward, and Kadestam made him pay. He connected with a brilliantly timed right uppercut, which crashed into Lapicus’ chin and instantly turned off his lights.
The knockout marked Kadestam’s 14th career victory and put him on a two-bout winning streak. Following the contest, he called out Roberto Soldic, who signed with ONE Championship earlier this month.
If “The Bandit” has his way, he’ll welcome the two-division MMA Champion to the Circle next.
