4 Spectacular Stoppages By The Stars Of ONE: TOTAL VICTORY

It is always a memorable evening whenever ONE Championship goes to Jakarta, and later this month, ONE: TOTAL VICTORY looks to be no different. On Saturday, 16 September, the Jakarta Convention Center will play host to the world’s most exciting martial arts action once again.

The blockbuster event will be headlined by a flyweight attraction featuring former ONE Flyweight World Champion Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov (23-1) and Team Lakay’s Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (9-5), and the winner will undoubtedly be in position to challenge for the title belt.

Aside from the main event, the 10-bout card is packed with veterans and young talents alike who are looking to make a statement. The best way to do that? Scoring a highlight reel finish that will bring everyone in the Jakarta Convention Center to their feet.

Our heroes have done it before, and they will be looking to do it again. Here are four of the best finishes from the stars of ONE: TOTAL VICTORY.

Geje Eustaquio’s Beautiful Left Hook KO Of Saiful Merican

In April 2016, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio had his back up against the wall.

The Filipino tapped out to Adriano Moraes’ guillotine choke in the inaugural bout for the ONE Flyweight World Championship in September 2014, and returned to the cage seven months later, where he lost to Anatpong Bunrad via split decision.

Eustaquio needed a convincing performance to prove he was still a contender, and he made one against Malaysian Muay Thai specialist Saiful “The Vampire” Merican at ONE: CLASH OF HEROES in January 2016.

The two were tentative with their strikes in the opening minute of the bout, but matters would suddenly come to an end. Merican stalked forward with an open-handed palm strike, which “Gravity” countered by stepping out with a left hook that dropped him instantly, giving him the knockout win at 1:21 of the opening stanza.

Currently,  the Team Lakay veteran has won three of his last four, including a split decision victory of his own over Bunrad in their rematch this past May. A decisive stoppage victory over a former world titleholder in Akhmetov would very likely catapult him back into title contention.

Alain Ngalani’s Incredible Spinning Heel Kick KO Of Mahmoud Hassan

Alain Ngalani‘s life changed with just one small incident when he was just 6 years old. It’s almost impossible to imagine by looking at the impressive physical specimen that he is now, but a group of older kids bullied him when he was younger, and took his lunch away from him.

That led him to the dojo to learn judo, and set him on a martial arts journey that would see him claim multiple world championships in Muay Thai and kickboxing. Now living in Hong Kong, those tremendous accolades inevitably led him to the ONE Championship cage, and he made an incredible debut to remember.

At ONE: CHAMPIONS & WARRIORS in September 2013, Ngalani faced Egypt’s Mahmoud Hassan, and delivered a stunning knockout that still graces highlight reels today. There was no doubt that everyone expected Ngalani’s strikes to be powerful, but his speed and agility shocked the world.

After just 31 seconds, “The Panther” threw a spectacular spinning hook kick that instantly floored Hassan, with follow-up ground and pound sealing the victory. Ngalani will now attempt to replicate that success against former ONE Heavyweight World Title challenger Hideki Sekine, and hopefully take one step closer to his dream of holding the coveted belt.

Sim Bunsrun’s Slick Submission Of Khon Sichan

Sim Bunsrun (3-3) made an unforgettable first impression when he debuted in ONE.

Back in December 2015, he met the first man he ever lost to, Khon Sichan, at ONE: KINGDOM OF KHMER. In their initial meeting two and a half years earlier, Sichan submitted him via rear-naked choke in the opening stanza. The result this time, however, would be totally different.

Bunsrun immediately brought the contest to the floor, and for a few minutes, it was a strategic position battle on the ground. The ref stood them up, allowing Sichan to briefly display his striking before the 24-year-old Cambodian Top Team product brought him back to the canvas.

Eventually, Bunsrun advanced to full mount, trapped his opponent’s right arm with his knee, and then had the perfect opportunity to secure a picture-perfect armbar. He got the tap with five seconds remaining in the opening round.

Since then, the flyweight has mustered together a three-bout win streak. He will attempt to extend it to four when he faces undefeated Indonesian grappling specialist Stefer Rahardian (6-0).

Sunoto Ground And Pounds Chan Heng To Victory

“The Terminator” Sunoto (6-3) does not let the taste of defeat stay in his mouth for very long.

After losing via TKO to Filipino striking extraordinaire Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION last December, the 31-year-old Indonesian desperately wanted to rebuild some momentum in a hurry.

Fortunately for him, he healed up quickly, and was featured on the promotion’s next Jakarta card, ONE: QUEST FOR POWER, a month later. He met Cambodia Top Team’s Chan Heng (8-4), and did not even give his opponent a chance to establish any rhythm.

Seconds after the bell rang to begin their match, Sunoto ducked an overhand right and immediately brought his opponent to the ground with a single leg takedown. From there, the Indonesian grappler masterfully transitioned into full mount, and rained down punches.

“The Terminator” gained an even more favorable position by trapping Heng’s arm with his right knee, taking away the last little bit of defense the Cambodian had left. The referee had no choice but to stop the contest.