The ONE Super Series Bout Of The Year 2018

The year 2018 will go down in history for the debut of ONE Super Series.

The all-striking series saw ONE invite the world’s best stand-up martial artists to converge in a new league that tested the best against the best in the sports of kickboxing and Muay Thai.

The action proved to be an instant hit, as the technical brilliance, resolute courage, and unsurpassed skill of the greatest strikers on the planet came to the global stage for martial arts.

Among the many instant classics that played out in ONE Championship, these are the best back-and-forth battles that took place this year.

WINNER: Mustapha Haida vs Daniel Dawson

Sometimes in kickboxing fans are treated to matches of true artistry and technique, and other times they are served up a feast of fast and furious action, with knockdowns, comebacks, and thrilling exchanges throughout.

The kickboxing clash between Mustapha “Dynamite” Haida and Daniel “The Rock” Dawson at ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON was not without the former, but definitely falls into the latter category. These athletes went toe-to-toe for a thrilling three rounds that culminated in a stunning knockout finish.

Dawson started well, but his strong start was turned on its head when Haida connected with a left high kick that clipped Dawson’s chin and sent him down to the canvas.

The Australian rallied and piled the pressure on Haida in the second and third rounds, scoring a pair of nice sweeps that put Haida on the seat of his pants, but it was Haida who produced the crucial moment of the contest as he turned up the power with about a minute remaining in the bout.

The Italian’s left hand was on point all night, and a big blow hand sent Dawson staggering backward across the ring. Haida pounced on his opportunity, landing a succession of strikes, followed up with a big knee, and a stiff short left hand that dropped Dawson hard.

That earned “Dynamite” a knockout victory in front of an appreciative crowd in Shanghai, China.

Runner-Up: Tarik Khbabez VS Ibrahim El Bouni

The light-heavyweight clash between Dutch-Moroccan stars saw the slick stylings of Ibrahim “Mr. Cool” El Bouni against the relentless pressure and power punching of Tarik Khbabez.

Kickboxing aficionados expected a special contest at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, and they were not disappointed.

El Bouni started off looking in fine form, as he countered excellently off the back foot against the marauding Khbabez, but eventually, his constant forward pressure paid off as he clipped El Bouni at the end of the opening round.

From that moment on it was all Khbabez, who walked down “Mr. Cool” and connected with heavy-handed strikes throughout the second round. El Bouni never stopped trying to battle back, but he was eventually finished in the third with a powerful barrage of blows.

Khbabez has aspirations to capture ONE Super Series World Titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight – and with his all-action style, he will be sure to entertain the crowds wherever he competes in 2019.

Runner-Up: Rodtang Jitmuangnon VS Sergio Wielzen

Two-time Omnoi Stadium Muay Thai Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon may go by the moniker of “Iron Man,” but after his win over Dutch-Surinamese opponent Sergio “Samurai” Wielzen, he may consider offering his nickname to his opponent.

Rodtang was in spectacular form when the pair met at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES in Jakarta, Indonesia as the Thai superstar put on a show of Muay Thai excellence – but fans only got a true picture of Rodtang’s greatness as a result of Wielzen’s undeniable toughness.

Rodtang dominated all three rounds of their Muay Thai clash. The 21-year-old dropped the Dutchman with a perfectly-placed punch in the first, and swept the 30-year-old to the mat on multiple occasions throughout the contest. A second official knockdown followed in the third thanks to a thunderous left hook as Rodtang put the seal on a dominant display.

The fact the bout went all the way to the scorecards is a testament to Wielzen’s grit and determination. He never ceased trying to get back on terms with his rival, but when it came to Muay Thai technique, power, and precision, there was no doubt whose hand would be raised when they lined up for the official verdict.

It was the 253rd win of Rodtang’s career, which has set him up for great things in 2019.

Runner-Up: Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy VS Samy Sana

Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy and Samy “AK-47” Sana delivered a spectacular demonstration of elite-level striking at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR as they battled back and forth for three full rounds in a kickboxing contest.

The bout showcased a fascinating clash of striking styles as Sana pushed forward, and the Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion countered expertly off the back foot.

It meant the bout was a three-round game of cat and mouse as the WBC Muay Thai World Champion tried to break down the Thai star with his relentless pressure.

But Sorgraw’s razor-sharp counters proved more effective as the 25-year-old took a hard-earned decision victory after three action-packed rounds.

Runner-Up: Sergej Maslobojev VS Antonio Plazibat

ONE: GRIT & GLORY showcased the very best in European kickboxing as Sergej ”Kuvalda” Maslobojev and Antonio Plazibat faced off in a 95-kilogram catch weight classic in Jakarta.

There was no feeling-out process as both big men loaded up from the opening bell, as Lithuania’s Maslobojev landed some punishing kicks and his Croatian opponent offered some sharp boxing in an exciting clash of styles.

Ultimately, however, it was Maslobojev’s style that held sway, as he wore down the 2017 K-1 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion with heavy strikes over the second and third rounds.

Plazibat hung tough, but the accumulation of heavy blows consigned him to a defeat via unanimous decision after a breathless nine minutes of relentless offense.