3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel Vs. Nicolas On Prime Video
ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Prime Video looks set to deliver a thrilling lineup of action, with 10 high-octane battles lined up for U.S. primetime this Friday, April 5.
A pair of World Championship clashes will headline the bill inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, but there are plenty more fireworks expected on the rest of the card across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling.
As we look ahead to fight night, here are three bouts that could ultimately steal the show when the bell rings in Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 Jacob Smith Vs. Denis Puric
If there’s one matchup that is guaranteed to deliver thrills, it’s the flyweight Muay Thai encounter between #2-ranked Jacob Smith and dangerous knockout artist Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric.
Both of these striking specialists are renowned for their all-action styles – blending skill with power and intensity – and it’s hard to imagine either man ever competing in a lackluster fight.
Puric’s only gear is full speed ahead, but Smith will not take a backward step – in fact, he welcomes the pressure.
“The Bosnian Menace” believes he’ll score a KO on the front foot, while his English rival is confident he’ll find a home for a bout-ending shot when Puric wades in.
With Smith’s high ranking at stake, the pair will be even more motivated to leave Bangkok with a victory, adding fuel to an already-raging fire.
#2 Dedduanglek Vs. Taiki Naito
Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito is looking for redemption against Dedduanglek TDed99 in their flyweight rematch under kickboxing rules.
Last July, the Thai sensation earned a massive Muay Thai victory over Naito, who entered as the #4-ranked contender in that division.
Dedduanglek has since climbed to #3 in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings, but he’ll need to overcome “Silent Sniper” under a less familiar rule set.
This time, Naito is defending his #3 flyweight kickboxing ranking, and with his World Title hopes hanging in the balance, the 28-year-old Japanese veteran will be fired up to level the score.
Dedduanglek’s powerful body kicks were the difference in their first fight, so it will be interesting to see if Naito has formulated a plan to deal with them more efficiently.
The kickboxing rules could play into “Silent Sniper’s” favor as he aims to push the pace and find a home for his heavy punches. But don’t count out the 21-year-old Thai, who already has the upper hand ahead of their crucial second meeting.
#3 Ben Tynan Vs. Duke Didier
The big men are in town for ONE Fight Night 21 as unbeaten Canadian phenom Ben “Vanilla Thunder” Tynan will take on Australian powerhouse Duke “The Duke of Canberra” Didier in a heavyweight MMA bout.
Both men come from elite grappling backgrounds, with “Vanilla Thunder” a decorated collegiate wrestler and Didier a world-class judoka and BJJ black belt.
It will be interesting to see whose specialty is the most effective, and the outcome could be heavily influenced by whoever gets to grapple from the top position.
But if neither man can assert dominance on the ground, it could force Tynan and Didier to delve into their reserves and show who is the most well-rounded mixed martial artist.
In fact, Tynan has expressed a desire to showcase his striking with a statement knockout, while “The Duke of Canberra” owns the edge in professional MMA experience, with an 8-2 record compared to his rival’s 5-0 slate.
The winner will be in a prime position to run toward the division’s upper echelon – and the more emphatic the victory, the higher they will rise.
