5 Epic Knockouts From The Stars Of ONE: HEAVY HITTERS
As its title suggests, ONE: HEAVY HITTERS will feature a bevy of the most destructive strikers on the planet.
From the lead card’s opening fight to the World Title main events, concussive finishers will unleash their power at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 14 January.
To get you fired up for all the action, we’re looking back at five of their greatest knockout wins in ONE Championship so far.
#1 Xiong Blasts Lee In Epic Five-Rounder
“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan finished “Unstoppable” Angela Lee to produce one of the most dramatic moments ever witnessed inside the Circle.
This World Title clash went down at ONE: A NEW ERA in March 2019, as the Chinese superstar defended her strawweight gold against atomweight queen Lee, who was attempting to become a historic two-division titleholder.
Xiong showcased incredible durability in the fourth, gritting her teeth through a tight armbar attempt late in the frame and making it to the towels.
Following that narrow escape, she came out for the final stanza with fresh intent, while it appeared Lee was drained after chasing the submission stoppage.
Seeing that, “The Panda” tried to empty her foe’s tank with body shots. A straight right to the solar plexus did the trick, as the Singaporean-American winced and backed off.
Sensing the end was near, Xiong rallied with more punches and followed up with a series of hard kicks to the midsection that saw her finish Lee and retain the gold in style.
Next, “The Panda” will defend her belt for the sixth time against Japanese judoka Ayaka “Zombie” Miura in the main event of ONE: HEAVY HITTERS.
#2 Kryklia Secures Gold With Second-Round Demolition
Roman Kryklia stopped Dutch-Moroccan freight train Tarik “The Tank” Khbabez at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS to win the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title in November 2019.
The stoic Ukrainian took heavy punches from “The Tank” in the first frame but never looked fazed. His composure paid dividends in the second, as he took over and blasted his rival en route to the emphatic finish.
Kryklia opened up the route to victory with a right hand and a right head kick that stunned Khbabez before dropping him with a pair of heavy lefts.
The Dutchman regained his feet, but Kryklia didn’t let up. The Gridin Gym representative steamed forward with knees and punches until the referee stepped in to give a standing eight-count.
Ultimately, Khbabez’s body gave up before his mind. He tried to carry on once again, but a final flurry of punches forced the referee to halt the contest for good.
Kryklia has remained the divisional king ever since, and he’ll defend his belt against Murat “The Butcher” Aygun in the co-main event of ONE: HEAVY HITTERS – a hotly anticipated clash between two of the most dangerous kickboxers on the planet.
#3 Saemapetch Finishes Kulabdam In Battle Of Thai Stars
Many thought “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai was the bigger puncher in this matchup with Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE: FULL BLAST in May, but it was the latter whose fists earned him the victory.
Saemapetch had to tread carefully around his fellow Thai’s power at the start of their bantamweight Muay Thai battle, but once he got a read on “Left Meteorite’s” timing, he found a way to win.
Kulabdam slammed a low kick into the Fairtex man’s thigh but paid the ultimate price when Saemapetch responded with a rapid combination.
The first retort was a right hook that narrowly missed the mark. The follow-up straight left to the body didn’t, however, and it immediately buckled “Left Meteorite.”
Saemapetch carried on firing and skimmed Kulabdam with a knee as he went down, but it was the damage from the body shot that kept his rival on the canvas.
#4 Tawanchai’s Head Kick Takes Out Tough Clancy
A truly masterful performance from Tawanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym earned him a debut win over Sean “Clubber” Clancy at ONE: DANGAL this past May.
The Thai’s technical proficiency meant he was a step ahead of his rival throughout the three-round affair, but Clancy’s toughness kept him in the fight until the final frame.
Tawanchai dropped “Clubber” in round one but couldn’t stop him. The Irishman marched forward with heavy punches, only to collide with his foe’s limbs on the way in, leaving him needing a stoppage in round three.
To his credit, Clancy maintained his pressure and stepped in behind one of Tawanchai’s high kicks to let loose with some leather. He then tried to evade another left high kick – but that time, it didn’t go so well.
“Clubber” didn’t lean back far enough, and his opponent’s foot connected straight on the jaw. That was all the Thai needed to turn off the lights and earn the spectacular victory.
On 14 January, Tawanchai will return in a massive all-Thailand clash against Saemapetch.
#5 Teen Phenom Supergirl Floors Lopez
At just 16 years old, Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai was the youngest athlete to ever compete in ONE Super Series, but that didn’t stop her from smashing through Milagros Lopez at ONE: A NEW BREED II in September 2020.
Lopez met the teen phenom in the center of the Circle and tried to bring the fight to her rival, but she was simply outgunned by the Thai’s punches.
Supergirl shot out her jabs and crosses like pistons, hurt the Argentine with hard knees to the body, and then floored her with a right hand when she tried to reply with a kick.
After Lopez returned to her feet, they traded leather again until Supergirl’s right hand found a home and shut her adversary down for good.
The Thai rising star will return to action against Ekaterina “Barbie” Vandaryeva in a strawweight Muay Thai clash at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS.
Ready more: 3 Major Takeaways From ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II
