Sep 24, 2021

3 Fights That Could Steal The Show At ONE: REVOLUTION

Petchdam Petchyindee Academy lands a head kick

ONE: REVOLUTION may be headlined by three incredible World Championship bouts, but there are plenty of epic matchups on the rest of the card.

With contrasting styles, guaranteed slugfests, and high stakes, the supporting cast is sure to produce both fireworks and drama inside the Circle this Friday, 24 September.

Here are three fights that could steal the show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

#1 Martin Nguyen Vs. Kim Jae Woong

Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen earned his reputation as a knockout artist en route to winning the ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Titles. Now, he’s looking for redemption – and another shot at featherweight gold.

But to earn a rematch with reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le, the Vietnamese-Australian star must get through #5-ranked contender “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong in a World Title eliminator match.

Nguyen is hungrier than ever to get back to the top, while Kim knows that a second straight win would propel him toward his own World Title ambitions.

Both men will leave nothing to chance when they square off in this mixed martial arts battle, as their hard-hitting arsenals will collide in a flurry of fists, knees, and kicks.

With 16 knockouts and just four decisions among their 24 combined victories, it’s fair to assume that someone will get finished – and that the action will be intense from start to finish.

#2 Petchdam Petchyindee Academy Vs. Taiki Naito

Petchdam meets Taiko Naito at ONE: REVOLUTION

Former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy is all about entertainment, from his entrance to the match itself.

The aggressive Thai star is known for dancing his way to the Circle and then turning on his relentless assault as soon as the bell rings.

Conversely, Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito is more of an enigmatic character who lets his fighting do the talking, and it tends to speak volumes.

In Friday’s Muay Thai encounter, Petchdam will apply pressure and look to decimate his rival with force, whereas Naito is a slick mover who will fire back with precise and powerful counters.

So, while “The Baby Shark” will charge forward to do damage, particularly with his left kick, expect “Silent Sniper” to capitalize on those attacks with sharp hands.

Their relative strengths will make for a riveting contest as both sides try to gain the upper hand. Expect a tough battle where neither man will come out unscathed.

#3 Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida Vs. Anderson Silva

Marcus Almeida and Anderson Silva at Chatri Sityodtong at the ONE: REVOLUTION Press Conference & Faceoffs — Marcus Almeida and Anderson Silva

As far as striker-versus-grappler matchups go, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and Anderson “Braddock” Silva represent polar opposite ends of the spectrum.

“Buchecha” — who is making his mixed martial arts debut — is the most successful athlete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history, with 17 World Titles to his credit.

Silva has competed in MMA before, but he’s a striker by trade. In fact, he owns a 52-20-1 kickboxing record, and he’s fought against some of the best stand-up practitioners in the world.

Grappling aficionados have waited years for “Buchecha’s” transition to mixed martial arts, but his first outing will be a real test of his abilities away from the ground.

The Brazilian will have to navigate his compatriot’s world-class striking and wrestle him to the canvas, while “Braddock” must keep the bout on the feet to have a chance.

Fans are intrigued at the prospect of Almeida competing inside the Circle and seeing how the elite skills of both heavyweights will translate to mixed martial arts rules.