3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE Friday Fights 22
Fans will be treated to an epic lineup when ONE Friday Fights 22 rolls into Bangkok, Thailand, later this week on June 23.
It’s a supercharged installment of the weekly Asia primetime event series at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, with a pair of World Title fights highlighting the usual blend of blistering Muay Thai and MMA.
While you shouldn’t look past Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin in their ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title unification bout or Prajanchai PK Saenchai vs. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, the rest of the lineup won’t be short on fireworks or drama.
Here are three bouts on the supporting card that could steal the show when the action gets underway in Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 Superlek Kiatmoo9 Vs. Nabil Anane
The Bangkok crowd will be thrilled to see ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 return to his roots in a Muay Thai battle against debuting phenom Nabil Anane.
Superlek is also the #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender, and another impressive victory would continue his journey toward a potential shot at reigning divisional king Rodtang Jitmuangnon and two-sport gold.
However, 19-year-old prodigy Anane has been tearing it up on the domestic Thai circuit and feels more than ready for his step up against the sport’s biggest names.
Standing 6-foot-2, the Team Mehdi Zatout representative is incredibly tall for the flyweight division. He also poses a unique stylistic threat, boasting black belts in taekwondo and karate along with his rare skills in “the art of eight limbs.”
Anane has already shown he can use this combination of size and skill against top-tier foes en route to becoming the youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion.
Of course, Superlek will already go down as one of the best strikers in history, but he’s never satisfied with his accomplishments. Now facing a young, hungry lion, the veteran superstar must be at his best to cement his top-contender spot.
#2 Seksan Or Kwanmuang Vs. Nathan Bendon
Seksan Or Kwanmuang’s reputation as “The Man Who Yields to No One” has only been strengthened since he started competing in ONE Championship.
The decorated Thai icon has posted a 3-0 slate in ONE Friday Fights, and every bout has been an all-out war, earning him legions of new fans internationally.
He’ll now face debuting striker Nathan Bendon in a 142-pound catchweight Muay Thai battle. And while the Brit is a new face in ONE, he has a strong resume – including a WBC Muay Thai World Title – and often trains alongside UK Muay Thai GOAT Liam Harrison.
Bendon is a former professional boxer – which means he’ll be comfortable if his opponent wants to exchange fire from close range – but he’s also got the skills to compete from a longer distance.
Still, Seksan’s pressure will likely mean these strikers will end up in each other’s faces for the duration of the match, so fans should not miss one second of it.
#3 Muangthai PK Saenchai Vs. Nico Carrillo
Another epic Muay Thai battle will take place in the bantamweight ranks, and it features two competitors who are known for their all-action styles.
Decorated Thai star Muangthai PK Saenchai is on a solid three-fight winning streak in ONE and owns a stellar 6-1 record in the organization overall.
“Elbow Zombie” always lives up to his moniker, charging at his opponents with strikes until he can get close enough to let rip with his piercing elbows.
However, rising talent Nico Carrillo won’t take a backward, as he showed when he defeated the legendary Seksan last year. The Scottish athlete was also not fazed by the step up to ONE, scoring a third-round TKO win over Furkan Karabag at ONE Friday Fights 13.
Carrillo knows that a victory over Muangthai would immediately rocket him up the ranks, and it’s the big names that motivate him. Expect both men to bring the heat in a clash that could have big implications for the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s World Title picture.
