4 Powerful Performances From The Stars Of ONE: REIGN OF VALOR

The ONE Championship cage will return to the thunderous Thuwunna Indoor Stadium next Friday, 8 March for ONE: REIGN OF VALOR.

In Yangon, Myanmar a stacked card of martial arts stars will look to put on a show for one of the most passionate crowds in world sport.

A host of world-class martial arts stars are set for action as they look to deliver the goods in the cage, and take the next step in their careers.

If they can match these phenomenal performances from some of the stars of the show, we should be in for an unforgettable night of match-ups.

Kadestam Dismantles Thani

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Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam produced a superb display of patience and power to finish Malaysian star Agilan “Alligator” Thani in Kuala Lumpur at ONE: PURSUIT OF POWER.

The Swedish welterweight was returning from a 10-month hiatus, but he looked as sharp as we have ever seen him inside the cage as he comprehensively outstruck Thani throughout the contest, and shrugged off his takedown attempts.

By the third and final round, he started to turn on the style to get the stoppage.

A left hook dropped Thani and forced him to desperately shoot for a single-leg takedown from a grounded position. The big Swede stepped back, and then finished “Alligator” with a series of knees and elbows.

That win positioned Kadestam perfectly for a shot at the top prize, and “The Bandit” took full advantage when he stopped American Tyler McGuire to capture the ONE Welterweight World Title.

He will make the first defense of his belt against Georgiy “Knight” Kichigin in the main event of ONE: REIGN OF VALOR.

Khbabez Breaks Down El Bouni

When noted light heavyweight knockout artists Tarik Khbabez and Ibrahim El Bouni went head to head at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, expectations were high for explosive action.

The ONE Super Series match-up delivered, but fans had to wait until the third round of a thrilling contest before Khbabez’s relentless approach finally broke down “Mr. Cool.”

El Bouni started well, but Khbabez turned the bout in his favor with his heavy-handed punching power and relentless pace as he walked down his Dutch-Moroccan counterpart throughout the contest.

And by the time the third round arrived, Khbabez was clearly on top, and he finished his man with a salvo of strikes to claim an outstanding stoppage win with just 34 seconds to go.

Khbabez will welcome Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica to ONE on 8 March for what promises to be another unmissable clash.

Naito Outfoxes Silva

Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito bounced back from losing his ONE Strawweight World Title to Alex “Little Rock” Silva by repaying the favor and defeating the Brazilian to reclaim the belt with a masterful display at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY.

After being outstruck by Silva in their first meeting, Naito went back to the drawing board and came back with the perfect game plan for the rematch.

He mixed up his strikes with a relentless takedown attack that kept the Brazilian guessing for the entire contest.

It meant that the defending World Champion was forced onto the defensive for much of the contest as the Japanese star pushed the pace at every opportunity.

It was the perfect strategy, as “Nobita” outworked “Little Rock” over five rounds to claim a split-decision victory and reclaim the ONE Strawweight World Title.

Now on a quest to claim his division’s highest honor for the third time, “Nobita” will face another surging strawweight in Yangon.

Catalan Picks Apart Rahardian

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Wushu World Champion Rene “The Challenger” Catalan is riding the crest of a wave as he enjoys the best spell of form in his ONE career.

That was no better illustrated than at ONE: REIGN OF KINGS when he handed Stefer Rahardian the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career with a superb performance in his homeland.

Catalan showcased his renowned striking skills as he lit up Rahardian with hard punches and powerful leg kicks throughout the contest, but it was perhaps his much-improved grappling that was most impressive.

He neutralized Rahardian’s considerable submission game by avoiding his takedowns, and even put the bout onto the canvas himself to add to his domination with ground and pound.

Now, after an eight-month hiatus, Catalan will return looking to pick up where he left off and register his sixth ONE Championship win in a row against Naito.