4 Captivating Knockouts From The Stars Of ONE: REIGN OF VALOR

Some of the world’s most ferocious knockout artists will enter the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar to display their elite striking ability at ONE: REIGN OF VALOR on Friday, 8 March.

The main-event bout for the ONE Welterweight World Championship features a reigning titleholder who loves to unleash his dynamic striking arsenal and raw power, while the co-main event has a hometown hero who masterfully utilizes the national martial art of lethwei.

In addition to nine explosive mixed martial arts contests, there are also five ONE Super Series kickboxing battles which feature the best competitors from the stand-up arts.

Now, just one week away from event night, here are four of the best knockouts from the stars competing at ONE: REIGN OF VALOR.

Kadestam’s World Title-Clinching KO

ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam has earned a reputation in ONE Championship for clinching dramatic knockouts in the final round of his matches.

His wins over Agilan “Alligator” Thani and Luis “Sapo” Santos both came in the third and final round, and when he squared off against Tyler McGuire for the vacant ONE Welterweight World Championship at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM in November, he went even further.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the fifth stanza, “The Bandit” knocked out the American with a remarkable combination to seal his World Title victory in style.

A battle-worn McGuire moved around the cage with his hands low. The Swedish mixed martial artist noticed his rival’s error and lunged at him with a powerful overhand right, which dropped him to the canvas. He instinctively followed up with a knee to the head, which separated the American from his senses.

Kadestam will defend his belt for the first time against Georgiy “Knight” Kichigin in the main event of ONE: REIGN OF VALOR.

Phoe Thaw Thrills With Unique Finish

Myanmar superstar Phoe “Bushido” Thaw took on Cambodia’s Sor Sey in a featherweight mixed martial arts bout at ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD in February 2018, and he had the home crowd behind him inside Yangon’s Thuwunna Indoor Stadium.

In this riveting contest between the lethwei stylist and the Kun Khmer expert, “Bushido” utilized his reach advantage and threw a more dynamic array of strikes. 

The Cambodian tried to chop away at the tree with hard low kicks, but Phoe Thaw brilliantly evaded his shots, controlled the distance, and kept landing blows on his shorter foe. He absorbed the strikes well, but the end was near.

Sor Sey threw a one-two combination at his rival, but the Yangon native had anticipated his aggression. He beat the Cambodian Top Team representative to the punch with a sharp jab, which forced him backward.

With his foe backed up against the cage, “Bushido” stepped forward with a monstrous push kick to the jaw that knocked out Sor Sey at 1:53 of round one.

The local hero returns to action in front of his compatriots when he takes on Indonesian veteran Yohan “The Ice Man” Mulia Legowo in a featherweight mixed martial arts bout.

Petchmorakot’s Crushing Elbow

Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy welcomed the UK’s Liam “The Hitman” Harrison to the world’s largest martial arts organization at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS in December, and he was keen to get back to his winning ways.

However, the Brit was out to make an impression in his ONE Super Series premiere and at first, he certainly did.

Harrison started the contest well, as he caught and countered his taller adversary’s kicks in a strong opening round. The two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion had to change tack in round two, and he switched expertly.

Petchmorakot was much more active at the beginning of the second stanza. He went on the offensive with an array of strikes and was more prepared for Harrison’s counters. When “The Hitman” unleashed a punching combination after the Thai’s left kick, the reply was emphatic.

The Petchyindee Academy representative stayed inside the range, extended his lead hand to pull down the Brit’s right arm and, with his defenses out of the way, Petchmorakot connected with a huge left elbow to the temple. Harrison instantly dropped to the canvas and the bout was soon waved off.

The man from Bangkok will be on the hunt for his third ONE Super Series victory in Yangon. He faces Japan’s Kenta Yamada in featherweight kickboxing action on 8 March.

Khbabez Overwhelms The Valiant “Panther”

Tarik Khbabez put on a scintillating display in a battle of the behemoths at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER last June.

The Morrocan-Dutch kickboxer used his clubbing punches to land hard shots on Alain “The Panther” Ngalani in their ONE Super Series kickboxing heavyweight clash, but the Hong Kong hulk showed his heart and durability to continue returning fire.

However, the accumulation of strikes had taken its toll on Ngalani in the third round.

Khbabez continued to relentlessly walk down “The Panther” and take full advantage of his exhausted opponent. He eventually pushed Ngalani into the corner with a left hook, put him on rubbery legs with a darting right hand, and then the hulk finally crumbled to the canvas.

In Myanmar, the Morrocan-Dutch powerhouse faces Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica in a light heavyweight kickboxing affair.