3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS

For the second time this month, two epic World Title bouts will headline a ONE Championship event.

The ONE Heavyweight World Championship match between Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli, and the tilt for the lightweight belt featuring Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Amir Khan will take center stage at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS.

However, every bout on a stacked undercard in Manila, Philippines is worthy of your attention this Friday, 23 November.

These are three match-ups flying under the radar that could steal the show at the Mall Of Asia Arena.

Saemapetch Fairtex VS Alaverdi Ramazanov

This ONE Super Series Muay Thai encounter has all the makings of a classic between two athletes that are looking to cement their status as the leading name in the bantamweight division.

Saemapetch Fairtex (118-14-1) returns to action following an impressive debut against Deividas “The Lithuanian Savage” Danyla in July. The Pattaya native has the kind of rib-crunching left kicks that you expect from a top-class Thai, and he also showcased powerful boxing and elbows.

Alaverdi “Dagger” Ramazanov (59-3) – who hails from Russia but also resides in Pattaya – announced himself as a force to be reckoned with when he defeated two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai Champion Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai in October.

He showed how effective he is at battling the more traditional Nak Muay southpaws, using his volume boxing and dumps.

In his sophomore outing, “Dagger” broke the ONE Super Series record for the fastest knockout when he finished Andrew Miller in just 57 seconds earlier this month.

Jeremy Miado VS Peng Xue Wen

This battle between young strawweights could be one of the highlights of the night.

Local favorite Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado (7-3) captured the imagination of fans everywhere when he knocked out former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dedjamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in March.

The Filipino has also hung tough with wrestlers over three hard rounds, as he displayed in back-and-forth encounters with Robin Catalan and Kritsada Kongsrichai. He has been working on his takedown defense, which will be helpful in this bout with his Chinese rival.

Peng Xue Wen (6-4) is a Chinese national wrestling silver medalist, and while he has used his grappling base for success, he has shown an affinity for striking, too. That was on full display when he knocked out Malaysian boxer Eddey Kalai in July, and he further showcased his stand-up versatility in his defeat of Stefer Rahardian in September.

This bout may seem like a classic grappler versus striker match-up, however, with both athletes’ love for striking — especially Peng’s as of late — this strawweight tilt could quickly turn into a high-octane stand-up affair.

Rockie Bactol VS Akihiro Fujisawa

Expect a battle of two hungry warriors when the graduates of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series (OWS) clash in a flyweight match.

Both Rockie Bactol (1-0) and Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa (4-0-1) impressed with first-round finishes at ONE Warrior Series 1 in March, which booked their places on the main roster in The Home Of Martial Arts.

Fujisawa went on to record another quick win at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, but both athletes have been absent from the cage since then, and should be fired up to make an impression in front of the Filipino fans.

The Philippines’ Bactol is only 19 years old, but has the slick striking skills and raw athleticism to prove he belongs among the veterans. He also has the grappling chops to keep the contest where he wants it, or work his way to a finish from top position.

His opponent from Japan is all about the ground game. He relentlessly pursues the takedown to grind on his opponents and hunt for a stoppage through strikes or a submission.

Fujisawa is 20 years Bactol’s senior, but that will not make him any less motivated to prove himself on the global stage, as he aims to capitalize on his athletic prime.