3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE: WARRIOR'S DREAM

More than a dozen martial arts contests are set to light up Jakarta, Indonesia this Saturday, 17 November at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM

No bout at the Stadium Istora is more prestigious than the ONE Welterweight World Title main event between Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam and Tyler McGuire, but every other match has the potential to thrill ONE Championship fans.

Here are three more mixed martial arts and ONE Super Series contests that have the potential to bring incredible action and hog the headlines on Sunday morning.

Lerdsila Phuket Top Team VS Sok Thy

Few expected Sok Thy to give “Mr. Lightning” Lerdsila Phuket Top Team such a competitive bout at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in June.

Although the bout started as many would have expected – with the Thai legend controlling the action – the young Cambodian burst into life in the second round and pushed his rival all the way until the final bell.

Despite his efforts, the Bayon and PNN Stadium Flyweight Champion lost a narrow split decision, but ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced he would receive his win bonus and an immediate rematch because of his efforts.

Now he knows his aggressive style can cause problems for the WKN, WPMF and WMC Lightweight World Champion, so expect him to go all out for the win.

On the opposite side of the cage, Lerdsila knows he must increase his offensive output to match his rival and make sure there is no doubt in the judges’ eyes about the winner.

Of course, if they fire away, a finish could be in the offing, which would remove the need for any close calls this time.

Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol VS Angelie Sabanal

Local favorite Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol will collide with unbeaten Filipina Angelie “D Explorer” Sabanal in an intriguing atomweight battle of strikers.

“Thathie” is an accomplished wushu practitioner who is an Indonesian national champion, as well as a World Wushu Championship bronze medalist.

She demolished Audreylaura Boniface with her kicks and punches in January and showed flashes of her wushu brilliance in her three subsequent victories this year.

Her opponent is a Philippines national Muay Thai silver medalist who used aggressive boxing and powerful low kicks to stun Bangkok’s Rika Ishige via unanimous decision in March.

Lumban Gaol also recorded two submission victories this year and proved she continues to improve on the ground in her decision victory over Jomary Torres, but she may want to keep things standing as Sabanal’s grappling defense could keep her out of danger on the mat.

Both athletes have also expressed their willingness to stand and trade, so this bout could turn into one of the best women’s toe-to-toe battles in ONE history.

Elipitua Siregar VS Muhammad Imran

This main card encounter between local favorite Elipitua Siregar (2-0) and Muhammad “The Spider” Imran (6-2) promises intrigue on a number of levels.

The unbeaten Indonesian has been a revelation in his first two ONE Championship appearances, picking up a pair of first-round finishes – a TKO of Phat Soda and a rear-naked choke of Dodi Mardian.

His best asset is his relentless wrestling, and that has helped him to pick up a submission and a TKO. However, this bout with Imran marks a step up in competition and experience.

The durable Pakido Martial Arts Club representative has much more cage time than his foe, and was a regional champion before entering the world’s largest martial arts organization.

“The Spider” is also a submission specialist, so if Siregar’s explosive wrestling puts him on the mat, we may see a ground battle as the Pakistani star searches for his fifth submission as a professional.

Experience cannot be discounted, but neither can the confidence of the undefeated rising star from Bali MMA. As he faces the biggest challenge of his young career so far, Siregar may be forced the up the ante in front of a partisan Jakarta crowd, or show what he can do on the feet for the first time.