4 Legendary Strikers Who Compete In ONE Championship
Since 2018, ONE Championship has seen countless striking legends enter the world-famous Circle and showcase their talents.
From kickboxing icons to Muay Thai greats, they’ve all come to test themselves on the global stage of martial arts.
Having said that, here are four fighters who continue to build their legacies in ONE Championship.
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is a legend through and through.
The Thai superstar remains undefeated in ONE, carrying an 8-0 slate in the organization alongside a combined striking record of 262-54-10. Moreover, his last three World Title defenses against #5-ranked bantamweight kickboxer Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo, #3-ranked Muay Thai contender “The Steel Locomotive” Rodlek PK.Saenchai, and #1-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex all ended by knockout.
However, even before he joined the organization, Nong-O had already established himself in Thailand’s Muay Thai circuit.
The Evolve athlete is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion and former Rajadamnern Lightweight Stadium World Champion. Some of the more notable fighters he’s competed against are Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Lerdsila Phuket Top Team, and Saenchai.
But there’s another legend he has yet to face – Liam “Hitman” Harrison. However, all that’s set to change. After scoring a come-from-behind TKO of Muangthai “Elbow Zombie” PK.Saenchai in his last outing, the Englishman secured a shot at Nong-O.
If Nong-O beats Harrison, it will be his sixth successful World Title defense since winning the crown against Han Zi Hao at the aptly named ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS in 2019.
Liam Harrison
In the Muay Thai world, Harrison is to England what Nong-O is to Thailand – legendary.
“Hitman” got his professional start competing locally in the U.K. but soon became a household name in the Muay Thai world. Throughout his storied career, he’s faced top names like Saenchai and Anuwat Kaewsamrit, even beating the latter by unanimous decision.
Moreover, Harrison is also a three-time Muay Thai World Champion, and for the first twelve years of his professional career, he never lost in “the art of eight limbs” to a non-Thai.
He joined ONE in 2018, and after a rocky start against future ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee and then Rodlek, he went on to smash his next two opponents, Mohammed “Jordan Boy” Bin Mahmoud and Muangthai.
With an 89-24-2 record in Muay Thai, it’s no wonder why the #5-ranked bantamweight is considered one of the all-time greats. And if he beats Nong-O, he’ll surely raise his legendary status even higher.
Anissa Meksen
Anissa “C18” Meksen carries with her an aura of invincibility because she’s only lost five times in a kickboxing and Muay Thai career that spans 106 fights.
Her near-perfect record helped her become a seven-time Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion. She’s also the pound-for-pound best female kickboxer on the planet.
The 34-year-old competitor joined ONE Championship last year and has yet to lose inside the Circle. She knocked out Cristina Morales in her debut and dominated Marie “Snow Leopard” Ruumet to score a unanimous decision victory at ONE 156 this past April.
After defeating Ruumet, Meksen called out ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet “JT” Todd. That showdown would set off fireworks if it happened, and if Meksen defeated the American, it would be the pinnacle of her legendary career.
Giorgio Petrosyan
Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan works on his opponents with surgical precision. In fact, it’s rare to see wasted movement from the 36-year-old kickboxing icon.
Throughout a career that spans two decades, Petrosyan has compiled 104 wins and multiple K-1 World Titles.
Moreover, after an established career, Petrosyan won his ONE Championship debut in 2018 against “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut. A year later, Petrosyan then participated in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix.
In the prestigious tournament, he went on to defeat Petchmorakot and Samy “AK47” Sana to win the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship and a cool US$1 million.
If that’s not legendary in itself, then nothing is.
