5 Best Performances From The Stars Of ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT

The ONE Championship events will come thick and fast in May, but there will be no compromise on martial arts excellence throughout the month.

Expect to see some of the finest kickboxing and Muay Thai athletes on planet Earth when the Circle returns to Bangkok, Thailand for ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT – not least in two World Title bouts – as well as some top-quality mixed martial arts.

Before The Home Of Martial Arts arrives back at the Impact Arena on 10 May, check out some of the best displays of skill from the superstars who will appear on the card.

Nong-O’s Outstanding ONE Debut

When four-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao faced off against two-time WBC Muay Thai World Champion Fabio Pinca at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, the two elite-level strikers served up a classic match-up that was one of last year’s best ONE Super Series clashes.

Considering Nong-O was returning to action after a break of more than three years, it was an astonishing display that proved to the world that he was still as sharp as ever.

The Thai icon delivered a brilliant performance to outstrike Pinca in a thrilling back-and-forth contest that saw the Thai legend force the Frenchman backward with his powerful boxing and kicks, and put him down with some spectacular sweeps.

When his rival returned fire, the Evolve representative’s defense was on point, as he blocked, countered, and kept his balance to stay in the lead on the judges’ scorecards.

Nong-O’s stellar performance saw him earn a unanimous decision victory as he kicked off his ONE Super Series career with a hugely impressive victory.

The ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion will return to the ring to defend his belt against Hiroaki Suzuki in Bangkok.

Suzuki Accelerates Through The Gears

ONE Super Series bantamweight star Hiroaki “Kaibutsukun” Suzuki capped a brilliant display against Mohammed “Jordan Boy” Bin Mahmoud with a buzzer-beating knockout to book his shot against Nong-O on 10 May.

The 34-year-old striker conceded height and reach advantages to his opponent at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT, but more than made up for those challenges with sheer aggression and a relentless will to win.

Suzuki came flying out of the blocks in the opening round with explosive roundhouse kicks that wobbled his rival, only for “Jordan Boy” to come storming back in the second. It left the bout perfectly poised heading into the final frame, and Suzuki was determined not to be denied.

The Japanese athlete put his foot to the pedal and unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes as he overwhelmed his opponent, who did his best to connect with strikes of his own.

However, the Shoot Boxing Lightweight World Champion’s pace and pressure finally paid off with just seven seconds remaining, as he unleashed one final flurry that forced the referee to step in and end the contest to give “Kaibutsukun” a thrilling TKO victory.

Mahmoudi’s Art Of Eight Limbs Showcase

Algeria’s Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi made a huge splash on his ONE Super Series debut.

The three-time Muay Thai World Champion earned a unanimous decision over Yukinori Ogasawara at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT with a performance that showcased his full striking arsenal.

Mahmoudi mixed up traditional Muay Thai striking with some sensational spinning techniques, including a series of perfectly-executed spinning back-elbows that left Ogasawara befuddled and unable to gain a foothold in the contest.

Such was Mahmoudi’s range of strikes, neither Ogasawara or the fans in the stands in Manila knew what was coming next from the 21-year-old, whose variety and fast pace made him an instant hit in ONE Super Series.

It also earned him a shot at the inaugural ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title against “The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy at the Impact Arena.

Rodtang’s Overwhelming Assault

Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon’s ONE Super Series debut gave him a tough test against Sergio “The Samurai” Wielzen, but the Thai superstar passed it with flying colors.

The two-time Omnoi Stadium Muay Thai World Champion showcased his full range of striking skills in a thrilling performance in Jakarta at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES last September, but that was thanks largely to Wielzen’s remarkable durability. He kept coming forward, and Rodtang met him with powerful blows every time.

A perfectly-timed left hook dropped Wielzen in the first round for an official knockdown, and a succession of well-executed sweeps ensured “The Samurai” had to pick himself up off the canvas on numerous occasions as the contest continued.

Another powerful left hook sent Wielzen tumbling to the floor in the final round, Rodtang’s dominance was clear to everyone at the Jakarta Convention Center.

That included the three judges, who unanimously awarded the bout to the “Iron Man,” as he announced his arrival in ONE Super Series with a blistering display and a glimpse of even better things to come.

Rodtang will return against Kun Khmer Flyweight World Champion Sok Thy in a flyweight Muay Thai match at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT.

Catalan’s Complete Performance

The Philippines’ Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan turned in the best performance of his career to upset hometown hero Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian when the world’s largest martial arts organization visited Jakarta in January.

Catalan laid the groundwork for his win by attacking Rahardian’s legs with kicks early on. Then, with his opponent’s mobility hindered, Catalan switched his target and started to mix up his strikes as he dominated the stand-up exchanges.

His punches found a home, and then, even though Rahardian’s best weapons laid in the grappling realm, Catalan was even confident enough in his ground skills to take the Indonesian star to the mat, including via a huge slam in the final round.

The 28-year-old’s reward for a dominant win by unanimous decision is a meeting with another hometown hero at the Impact Arena against Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit.