Tetsuya Yamada Stops Rafael Nunes At ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR

Tetsuya Yamada IMG_1109

Tetsuya “MMA Fantasista” Yamada is building momentum towards a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Title.

On Friday, 29 June, the Japanese warrior defeated well-rounded Brazilian dynamo Rafael “Indio” Nunes via second-round TKO, in an exciting featherweight clash at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR.

Massive elbow strikes secure Tetsuya Yamada a commanding TKO finish at 4:05 of the second round!

Massive elbow strikes secure Tetsuya Yamada a commanding TKO finish at 4:05 of the second round!Watch the full event LIVE & FREE on the ONE Super App 👉 http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast

Posted by ONE Championship on Friday, June 29, 2018

Nunes, who was motivated to reignite his career after being plagued by injuries and personal issues, showed his competitive fire early in the first round. He started the bout off aggressively, and threatened with some heavy punches.

The Brazilian then tried to force the action to the ground with a slew of takedown attempts. Although Yamada resisted his efforts, “Indio” eventually hit a single-leg takedown.

Tetsuya Yamada IMGL0678.jpg

From guard, “MMA Fantasista” put a scare on his opponent. The Kanagawa, Japan native swept his adversary with a kimura and tried locking it in, but Nunes kept rolling to avoid the tap. He was able to escape, and closed out the frame standing over his opponent.

In the second round, it was Yamada’s turn to push the action to the ground and force his opponent to go on the defense. Fans were treated to a BJJ clinic between two excellent grapplers, with neither man allowing the other to secure a dominant position for an extended period of time.

However, when the 28-year-old Japanese athlete had his turn on top, he timed an elbow to perfection, which cut Nunes on his forehead.

Tetsuya Yamada IMGL0844.jpg

With safety being the utmost concern, the referee stopped the action for the cageside doctors to check on the wounded Brazilian. After careful inspection, it was ruled that Nunes would not be able to continue, and the referee awarded the victory to Yamada.

In victory, Yamada improves his record to 26-6-2 and finds himself on a two-bout win streak. 

More in News

Sam A Gaiyanghadao Akram Hamidi ONE Friday Fights 81 26
Japanese kickboxing superstar Kana
Yodlekpet Or Atchariya Puengluang Baanramba ONE Friday Fights 85 15
Yodlekpet ONE Friday Fights 85
Submission grappling stars Cole Abate and Dante Leon
Oumar Kane Marcus Almeida ONE Fight Night 13 104
Reinier de Ridder Anatoly Malykhin ONE 166 39
Mayssa Bastos Danielle Kelly ONE Fight Night 24 39
Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Masaaki Noiri ONE 167 85
Danny Kingad Yuya Wakamatsu ONE 165 8
ONE Championship MMA fighters Christian Lee and Alibeg Rasulov
Rodtang Jitmuangnon Denis Puric ONE 167 101