It is pretty early in 2023 to be talking about knockout of the year contenders – but Chingiz Allazov certainly gave us one to discuss. Taking on the legendary Superbon, the Azerbaijani-Belarussian landed a sumptuous right cross in the second round to turn the lights out on the champ. Allazov kicks of the year by winning the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title and grabbing a $60,000 bonus in the process. 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 cutting protocols that fight was scrapped. Up stepped 19-year-old Anna Jaroonsak – for a three round strawweight kickboxing bout, and did these two put on a show. Fairtex may have come out of it with a decision win and a performance bonus – but both came out with huge credibility for the short-notice fight.
Never let the glasses fool you – Mikey Musumeci is a beast. Defending his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling world title, the American put on a clinic against Gantumur Bayanduuren. Musumeci wanted the best sambo fighter in his division and got him in Bayanduuren, and proceeded to spend the entire fight controlling the pace and positioning, transitioning seamlessly from one submission attempt to the next. Bayanduuren was durable, and takes credit for not being stopped, but Musumeci is on another level
- Rodtang aims for two titles
Current ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang may not have had his title on the line this weekend, but certainly made a statement. He progressed his current ONE unbeaten run to 13 bouts across striking disciplines with an impressive catchweight kickboxing clash over Jiduo Yibu – could we see him challenging for a second title in the near future?
- Legends have still got it
Two ONE legends proved they still have plenty of fight left in them this weekend with impressive wins. Former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion Aung La N Sang gave his fans plenty to cheer about making light work of Gilberto Galvao in just 89 seconds. A flurry of strikes saw the Burmese Python record back-to-back wins, having lost three out of four prior to that. Another man bouncing back after a loss was Garry Tonon. He got 2023 off to the perfect start with a first-round kimura win over Johnny Nunez. Tonon’s defeat last time out was his first in seven ONE MMA bouts, and he can now begin to look up again in the featherweight division.
