4 Outstanding Martial Arts Performances From The Final Quarter Of 2018

ONE Championship showcases the best in martial arts every time an event is staged, and each show delivers bouts that will live long in the memory of fans.

Some of those contests are an encapsulation of the athletes’ journeys of evolution and improvement, as they deliver performances of the highest quality. That can be every bit as rewarding as watching a toe-to-toe battle where both warriors match each other throughout the bout.

Here are four examples of martial arts greatness in action during The Home Of Martial Arts’ events in the last three months of 2018.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Dominates Iran Diaz

Pound-for-pound boxing superstar and WBC Super-Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai produced a dominant performance to defeat Mexican challenger Iran Diaz in the first ONE Championship boxing main event at ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES.

Srisaket bossed the contest from start to finish, using his blurring hand speed to consistently beat Diaz to the punch and repeatedly sting the Mexican with sharp left hands.

The Thai star’s superior footwork and power were in evidence throughout as he repeatedly found a home for his left hand and moved away from the Mexican challenger’s counters.

There was one brief moment of success for Diaz when an uppercut appeared to drop Srisaket in a flash knockdown, but it was ruled a slip by referee Jay Nady.

Many predicted a stoppage finish for the reigning champion, but Diaz showed the sort of toughness the boxing world has come to expect from world-class Mexican pugilists as he stood toe-to-toe with Srisaket for all 12 rounds.

Ultimately, though, Diaz was outgunned by Srisaket, whose boxing skills were a cut above the challenger. The Thai World Champion successfully defended his title by unanimous decision with scores of 119-109, 120-108 and 119-109 on a memorable night in Bangkok.

Nong-O Overwhelms Mehdi Zatout

Thai ace Nong-O Gaiyanghadao showed the world that there are levels to Muay Thai some fans are only just starting to discover.

Matched against WBC and ISKA World Champion Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout, the four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion came up against a top-class competitor, but showed he was a class apart. At ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES, he dictated terms in almost every exchange and dominated the tenacious Frenchman over three rounds.

Zatout proved to be stubborn opposition throughout the bantamweight contest, and that toughness helped bring out the best in the Thai superstar, who showed off his array of Muay Thai techniques to claim a unanimous decision victory.

Nong-O dropped Zatout with an elbow, consistently chopped away at the Frenchman’s legs with punishing kicks, and scored consistently with punches and knees. It was a complete display of the art of eight limbs.

All eyes will be on the Thai when he next features in ONE Super Series, and if he can continue to produce displays of that quality, a shot at ONE Super Series gold may not be far away.

Giorgio Petrosyan Shuts Sorgraw Down

Italian kickboxing legend Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan proved just why he is rated as the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world with a stunning display at ONE: HEART OF THE LION.

Petrosyan turned in a virtuoso performance against Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy.

“The Doctor” often likes to counter his opponents, using their aggression against them, but against Sorgraw, he often switched up his tactics to push the pace on his opponent. He mixed up thudding punches with chopping leg kicks as he kept the Thai star on the back foot.

Petrosyan’s masterful performance took him to the 98th win of his kickboxing career, and the Italian will look to reach his century of victories at a ONE Championship event in 2019.

Who knows whether he might have the opportunity to celebrate the occasion with a ONE Super Series World Title.

Eduard Folayang Outmaneuvers Amir Khan

Team Lakay had a year to remember, and Eduard “Landslide” Folayang ended 2018 for the martial arts squad from Baguio City, Philippines in style.

He recaptured the ONE Lightweight World Title with a thrilling performance at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS in Manila.

The Mall of Asia Arena was rocking as Folayang brilliantly showcased his wushu skills to comprehensively outstrike noted knockout artist Amir Khan over five rounds and win back the World Title he lost in 2017.

The match-up was not one-sided, but it seemed as if Folayang had hit the peak of his powers as he unleashed his full striking arsenal against the Singaporean contender.

Spinning kicks and elbows, powerful side kicks, and hard punches featured as “Landslide” kept Khan at arm’s length for most of the encounter – punishing him each time he tried to close the distance.

It was a masterful display as Folayang showed the world just why he is a multiple-time World Champion athlete as he ran out the winner via unanimous decision to reclaim the belt.