5 Major Storylines For The Athletes Competing At ONE On Prime Video 3
Update (October 20): John Lineker missed weight for his ONE Bantamweight World Title defense against Fabricio Andrade. As a result, Lineker has been stripped of the belt. The bout will proceed at catchweight. Only Andrade will be eligible to win the World Title at ONE on Prime Video 3. If Lineker wins, the World Title will remain vacant.
Update (October 20): Uali Kurzhev failed his hydration tests for his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship bout against Kade Ruotolo. AS a result, the bout will now proceed at catchweight. Only Ruotolo will be eligible to win the belt at ONE on Prime Video 3. If Kurzhev wins, the World Title will remain vacant.
Combat sports fans will witness a host of intriguing matchups play out at ONE on Prime Video 3: Lineker vs. Andrade.
With three World Titles on the line and some intense rivalries coming to a head, the card looks set to deliver intense action from start to finish – all live in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 21.
Here are the five biggest talking points ahead of this massive event at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
#1 Is Lineker Or Andrade The Best Bantamweight Striker In MMA?
Update (October 20): John Lineker missed weight for his ONE Bantamweight World Title defense against Fabricio Andrade. As a result, Lineker has been stripped of the belt. The bout will proceed at catchweight. Only Andrade will be eligible to win the World Title at ONE on Prime Video 3. If Lineker wins, the World Title will remain vacant.
In the night’s main event, veteran MMA star John Lineker defends his ONE Bantamweight World Title for the first time against fellow Brazilian knockout artist Fabricio Andrade.
Rising phenom Andrade has stated that “Hands of Stone’s” striking is “average,” but the reigning king’s 17 career KOs say otherwise. Lineker has the rare kind of firepower that can stop any man in their tracks, and his concussive boxing is his vehicle to unleash it.
However, “Wonder Boy” is a slick operator who also owns killer instincts. While his Muay Thai-based game is more about timing and accuracy, he’s finished four of his five ONE Championship opponents en route to an unblemished 5-0 slate in the organization.
Their styles are very different – but very effective. Which one will come out on top when the Brazilian strikers go head-to-head for the belt?
#2 Can Eersel Become A Double-Champ With Muay Thai Gold?
ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel has compiled a perfect 7-0 record since debuting in ONE’s kickboxing ranks in 2018. Now, he is stepping over to Muay Thai for the first time in the organization.
As a former Lion Fight Champion, “The Immortal” is no stranger to “the art of eight limbs,” but it’s been four years since he last competed in the sport. However, there will be no tune-up fight for the Dutch-Surinamese superstar.
His kickboxing dominance earned him an immediate shot at the inaugural ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title – and it comes against an opponent worthy of that accolade.
Sinsamut Klinmee is the man ready to welcome Eersel back to Muay Thai, and with consecutive KOs over Nieky Holzken and Liam Nolan, the Thai breakout sensation is on fire.
Will Sinsamut’s recent familiarity with the rules favor him, or can “The Immortal” move seamlessly back into Muay Thai, extend his ridiculous 19-bout winning streak, and become a rare two-sport ONE World Champion?
#3 Kade Ruotolo’s BJJ vs. Uali Kurzhev’s Sambo
Update (October 20): Uali Kurzhev failed hydration tests for his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship bout against Kade Ruotolo. As a result, the bout will now proceed at catchweight. Only Ruotolo will be eligible to win the belt at ONE on Prime Video 3. If Kurzhev wins, the World Title will remain vacant.
The inaugural ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title is on the line at the Axiata Arena, and it pits teen BJJ prodigy Kade Ruotolo against four-time Sambo World Champion Uali Kurzhev.
Both men have spent a lifetime in their respective arts, and they’ll test their efficacy against one another with the belt at stake.
Ruotolo’s intense, submission-hunting style made him the youngest-ever ADCC World Champion in September, and he’s equally comfortable playing from the top or bottom positions.
Meanwhile, Kurzhev’s sambo and judo background means he will be looking for high-impact throws to work from the top, but can he contain the relentless Ruotolo as both men try to impose their skill sets?
#4 Will Legendary Sitthichai Or Rising Star Boutasaa Prevail?
Thai icon Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong is one of the most revered fighters of this generation, winning eight combined World Titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai.
At ONE on Prime Video 3, he’ll battle Moroccan rising star Mohammed “Too Sharp” Boutasaa, who boasts a 15-0 professional record and wants to establish himself as a leading contender in the featherweight kickboxing division.
The 23-year-old Boutasaa defeated savvy veteran Davit Kiria in his ONE debut, but he can make an even bigger statement by taking out #4-ranked Sitthichai, who was formerly considered the top pound-for-pound striker on the planet.
However, “Killer Kid” is still a lethal prospect for anybody, having reached the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final in March. The 31-year-old came up short against Chingiz Allazov for the tournament belt, so he’ll be hungry to get back on track and earn a World Title shot.
Will the Thai legend’s experience win out, or will the young phenom earn the biggest victory of his burgeoning career?
Which Newcomers Will Stand Out?
Alongside ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title challenger Uali Kurzhev, there are four more debutants competing at ONE on Prime Video 3 – all of whom want to make an instant impression in the organization.
In MMA action, Shamil Gasanov brings a 12-0 record into his matchup with #2-ranked featherweight contender Kim Jae Woong, knowing that a victory would immediately elevate his status within the stacked division.
American striker Asa Ten Pow makes his first promotional appearance against former ONE World Title challenger Mehdi Zatout. Despite giving up more than 100 bouts in experience, Ten Pow will have a massive opportunity to level up his Muay Thai career.
Finally, intriguing MMA upstarts Lea Bivins and Noelle Grandjean square off in a women’s atomweight battle that will show which one of them is ready to start climbing the ladder on the global stage.
