Jan 13, 2021

5 Reasons To Be Excited For ONE: UNBREAKABLE

Chinese MMA fighter Meng Bo celebrates her debut victory in ONE

The world’s largest martial arts organization will kick off 2021 with a phenomenal card that offers up plenty of reasons to be excited.

ONE: UNBREAKABLE will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 22 January, and features a World Championship main event along with some of the promotion’s biggest superstars.

Here are five reasons why you should be looking forward to the kickboxing and mixed martial arts action in “The Lion City.”

#1 A Hard-Hitting Main Event

Reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov will put his gold on the line against Capitan Petchyindee Academy in the night’s main event – and it has all the makings of a thriller.

Ramazanov’s relentless attacking style sees him throw with both volume and concussive power, but he’ll meet a man who thrives on that kind of environment.

Capitan only needed six seconds and one punch to make a massive first impression during his ONE Super Series debut against Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE: A NEW BREED III in September.

That record-breaking KO earned the Thai the division’s #2-ranked contender spot and this World Title shot against his Russian rival. Although it’s rare for lightning to strike twice, Capitan’s hands of stone are capable of ending any bout at any moment – something that can also be said for “Babyface Killer.”

Ramazanov’s knockout wins over Andrew “Maddog” Miller and Ognjen Topic have been replayed on highlight reels millions of times, yet he might just meet his match in the Petchyindee Academy athlete, who will be gunning for another sensational finish and the coveted ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title belt.

#2 A Legend Welcomes A Fresh Contender To Lightweight

One of the most prolific athletes in ONE Championship history will make his return to the Circle in Singapore.

That man is #4-ranked lightweight contender Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki, who will be facing a new threat at ONE: UNBREAKABLE. Former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger James Nakashima is dropping to lightweight for the first time in hopes of kick-starting another journey toward World Championship gold.

Though he came up short in a barn burner against welterweight king Kiamrian “Brazen” Abbasov back in November, the American showed that he can hang with the best. A victory over a former lightweight kingpin in Aoki would put Nakashima straight into the mix in his new weight class.

However, “Tobikan Judan” is experienced and dangerous. He’s recorded back-to-back wins since losing the divisional crown to Christian “The Warrior” Lee in May 2019 and his potent submission game could cause problems for the wrestler.

The stakes will be high in this matchup, as a shot at Lee won’t be far out of reach for the victor.

#3 Heavyweights Collide

It is always edge-of-the-seat action when the heavyweights collide in ONE Super Series. Enter Rade Opacic and Patrick “Big Swiss” Schmid — two gargantuan men with world-class skills and the ability to end a contest in an instant.

Serbia’s Opacic scored one of the most stunning KOs of 2020 in his debut on the global stage, so fans are rightly anticipating his return to the Circle. The Serbian Muay Thai Champion went back-and-forth with Errol “The Bonecrusher” Zimmerman at ONE: BIG BANG II in December, before he launched an incredible spinning heel kick to claim the second-round victory in style.

At just 23 years old, Opacic is still a youngster in heavyweight terms, but he’ll have to get through another more experienced campaigner in Schmid to keep moving up the ranks.

The 34-year-old “Big Swiss” is seasoned in Muay Thai, kickboxing, sanda, and boxing. Although this will be the ISKA European Kickboxing Champion’s biggest platform to date, his raft of experience should mean he will have a cool head to navigate the step-up.

The cliché is true here — this one is unlikely to go the distance as two powerhouses collide, with their only goal being an emphatic win in The Home Of Martial Arts.

#4 Gold Rush On The Supporting Card

The remaining fights all feature martial arts superstars who could also be close to a World Title shot with a resounding victory.

Former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam will be back in the mix against unbeaten Russian Gadzhimurad Abdulaev.

In addition to that, #2-ranked Meng Bo will take on former ONE Women’s Strawweight World Title challenger Samara “Marituba” Santos in a pivotal atomweight encounter, and Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang will resume his charge to the ONE Strawweight World Title against “Wolf of the Grasslands” Hexigetu.

Kadestam, Meng, and Adiwang appear closer to the top on paper, but all of their opponents could thrust themselves into the upper echelon of their respective divisions if they earn a big win on 22 January.

#5 A Fresh Start

Everybody around the world felt the impact of COVID-19 in 2020. But now, with the end potentially in sight, athletes and fans alike are looking forward to massive events and great matchups in The Home Of Martial Arts this year.

ONE Championship was forced to postpone a slew of events due to the pandemic, but the promotion ramped back up in the second half of 2020 – with thrilling results.

The stage is already set for a colossal start to the new calendar year with ONE: UNBREAKABLE. What better way to kick off 2021 than with an explosive card?