It’s fairly early in 2023 to start talking about the round of 16 contenders – but Chingiz Allazov has certainly given us one to discuss. Taking on the legendary Superbon, the Azerbaijani-Belarusian landed a magnificent right cross in the second round to turn the champion’s lights out. Allazov becomes Kicker of the Year by winning the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title while snagging a $60,000 bonus. A very good night’s work.
- Fairtex and Jaroonsak are both absolute warriors
We had been looking forward to a mixed rules match between Stamp Fairtex and Anissa Mexen, but when Mexan missed weight loss protocols that fight was scrapped. 19-year-old Anna Jaroonsak stepped up – for a three-round strawweight kickboxing bout, and these two put on a show. Fairtex may have walked away with a decision win and a performance bonus – but both came out with great credibility for the short-term fight.
Never let the glasses fool you – Mikey Musumeci is a beast. The American retained his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title and completed a clinic against Gantumur Bayanduuren. Wanting the best sambo fighter in his division, Musumeci brought him to Bayanduuren and spent the entire fight controlling pacing and positioning, transitioning seamlessly from one submission attempt to the next. Bayanduuren was persistent and boasts of not being stopped, but Musumeci is on another level
- Rodtang is aiming for two titles
Rodtang, ONE’s current Muay Thai World Flyweight Champion, might not have had his title at stake this weekend, but he certainly made a statement. With an impressive catchweight kickboxing bout against Jiduo Yibu, he improved his current unbeaten ONE run to 13 fights in conspicuous disciplines – could we see him fighting for a second title in the near future?
- Legends still have it
Two ONE legends proved they still have a long way to go with impressive wins this weekend. Former world middleweight and light heavyweight champion Aung La N Sang gave his fans plenty to cheer for after easily knocking out Gilberto Galvao in just 89 seconds. A spate of strikes gave the Burmese python a record straight win after previously losing three out of four. Another man who bounced back from defeat was Garry Tonon. He had a perfect start to 2023 with a Kimura win in the first round over Johnny Nunez. Tonon’s loss last time out was his first in seven ONE MMA fights, and he’s now back up at featherweight.
