3 Unforgettable ONE Championship Bouts That Lit Up Late 2018

ONE Championship ended 2018 with a string of spectacular events as the world’s best martial artists thrilled fans across Asia.

Now, with the final event of 2018 in the books from The Home Of Martial Arts, relive a trio of top-drawer contests that delivered the most unforgettable action during the final three months of the year.

Belingon And Fernandes Go To War

It took Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon six bouts and nearly three years to earn his ONE Bantamweight World Title rematch against the all-conquering Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, so when his chance finally came at ONE: HEART OF THE LION, he was determined to take it with both hands.

The Filipino hero did just that, as he turned in a career-best performance to show just how far he had evolved as a martial artist. In a brilliant display, he outpointed the Brazilian on two of the three judges’ scorecards to claim his division’s undisputed crown.

Belingon showcased his wushu striking to its fullest, but the most noticeable difference from his first meeting with Fernandes was his grappling. He looked light-years better on the ground as he scrambled to survive a series of close submission threats from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

His improvement on the ground, coupled with his superiority on the feet, proved enough to earn him a split decision victory, and “The Silencer” achieved his dream of becoming the ONE Bantamweight World Champion.

Now, after a long journey to win the title, his mission has changed, as he looks to defend the belt against the cream of the bantamweight crop in 2019.

Dejdamrong And Kaushik’s Fast-Paced Battle

As a Muay Thai legend, former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is always expected to stand and throw strikes whenever he steps into the ONE Championship cage.

But “Kru Rong” is much more than just a stand-up specialist, as he demonstrated in his recent victory over Himanshu Kaushik at ONE: HEART OF THE LION.

The Thai hero stood and traded with Kaushik in the early exchanges, who responded with some powerful takedowns. However, after a relentless attack on the Indian contender’s body, Dejdamrong transitioned to his grappling to secure the win.

A succession of knees and heavy punches to Kaushik’s midsection forced the Indian star to backpedal as the Evolve representative stalked his opponent around the cage.

After one knee too many to the body, Kaushik grabbed a leg in search of another takedown, but this attempt was easily stuffed. “Kru Rong” then took his exhausted opponent’s back and, after some heavy ground and pound, locked up a rear-naked choke to force the tap.

It was a superb performance, and one that suggested that the former titleholder still has plenty in his locker as he bids to battle his way back to the belt in 2019.

Folayang And Khan Throw Down For The Gold

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang was on a mission to reclaim the ONE Lightweight World Title at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS in Manila, Philippines.

Singaporean finisher Amir Khan offered some of the most dangerous resistance in the division, but he could not stop the force of nature that was the Filipino in the Mall Of Asia Arena.

Folayang’s wushu striking was as sharp as we’ve ever seen it, while his takedown defense was also on point as he nullified Khan’s best threats – his striking and his underrated submission game – throughout the five-round title contest.

When the Singaporean attacked, he was put down with thunderous counter takedowns. When he was forced to defend – which was often – he was overwhelmed with spinning strikes from range, as well as powerful elbows and knees in the clinch.

It all added up to a comfortable unanimous decision win for the icon from Baguio City.