3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT

Unmissable Muay Thai, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts contests are set to thrill the Impact Arena when ONE Championship returns to Bangkok, Thailand on 10 May.

As if the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title main event and inaugural ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship co-headline match were not enough, a stacked undercard should deliver non-stop thrills at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT.

Ahead of another jam-packed evening of electrifying mixed martial arts action, the onefc.com editorial team has scoured the lineup to choose three contests that could have everyone talking when the lights go down in “The Land Of Smiles.”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon Vs. Sok Thy

If you have seen any of Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon’s (255-41-10) three battles in ONE Championship so far, you will know why he is a must-see attraction.

The two-time Omnoi Stadium Muay Thai World Champion is one of the most relentless competitors across any discipline in The Home Of Martial Arts. No matter the opponent, he always comes forward, and never stops unleashing a torrent of heavy punches, elbows, knees, and kicks.

His opponent in a flyweight Muay Thai match is Cambodia’s Sok Thy (223-36-12) – a Kun Khmer Flyweight World Champion who is one of the few men on the roster who can come close to his phenomenal record and match his youthful energy in the ring.

Expect the Cambodian Top Team representative not to back down as these two 21-year-olds go toe-to-toe for as long as they are both standing.

Pongsiri Mitsatit Vs. Robin Catalan

Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit (9-2) and Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan (9-5) have all the tools to deliver a thrilling mixed martial arts tussle in the strawweight division.

Mitsatit is arguably the most talented mixed martial artist to emerge from his homeland, and the Tiger Muay Thai representative is hungrier than ever for victory in front of his home fans.

As a former Northern Muay Thai Champion of Thailand with seven knockout wins since his switch of sports, “The Smiling Assassin” brings firepower that his Filipino rival should be wary of.

However, Catalan is also an experienced striker as an IFMA Muay Thai World Champion. His stand-up skills may help him navigate the dangerous moments on the feet, but he will surely look to employ his clinical submission game inside the Impact Arena.

He is also looking for redemption for his family, because of his upcoming opponent’s TKO win over his brother, Rabin, which should add some extra needle to this encounter.

Mitsatit’s desire and hunger could manifest with an aggressive output, but if he commits too much, Catalan’s more diverse skillset could come into play in a battle of wills and skills.

Panicos Yusuf Vs. Zhang Chenglong

It is only natural that Muay Thai will take center stage in the home of “the art of eight limbs,” but one of the best battles in Bangkok could come from two foreign competitors from Thailand’s national sport who will face off under kickboxing rules.

The match between Cyprus’ Panicos Yusuf (37-7) and “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong (47-12-1) offers a fascinating clash of styles between two elite athletes who could be knocking on the door of a bantamweight World Title shot if they can have their hand raised at the Impact Arena.

Yusuf, a two-time Muay Thai World Champion who competes out of Manchester, England, is one of the smoothest operators in ONE Super Series. He can slip and counter as well as anyone on the roster, and few men make striking look so effortless.

Every blow he lands seems to be timed to perfection – as he demonstrated when he picked apart “Jordan Boy” Mohammed Bin Mahmoud at ONE: A NEW ERA little more than a month ago. The Malaysian was aggressive, but was met with sharp punching and powerful kicks almost every time he stepped forward.

Zhang is all about youthful energy and all-out offense. The Top King Muay Thai World Champion never stopped coming forward during his unanimous decision defeat of Kong Sambo in his ONE debut and seemed to get stronger as the match went on.

The Shenzen native’s stiff straight punches, hard kicking, and leaping flying knees will either overwhelm his opponent or give him all the opportunities he needs to turn the tables and make him pay.