5 Reasons To Watch ONE 162: Zhang vs. Di Bella Live On October 21
There are some massive bouts lined up for ONE 162: Zhang vs. Di Bella, which features established ONE Championship icons competing alongside the hottest rising stars on the global stage.
The nine-bout card will take place at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and every matchup has something to get excited about – whether it’s World Championship gold on the line or a clash of styles that will deliver fireworks.
Here are five big reasons to watch the event live this Friday, October 21, in Asian primetime (U.S. morning).
Then make sure to catch ONE on Prime Video 3 when it broadcasts live that evening in North American primetime.
#1 Nearly Unbeaten Kickboxers Collide For World Title
“Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian and Jonathan Di Bella will headline the bill when they compete for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship, which was recently vacated by Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
While Sam-A was a seasoned veteran of the game for decades, the two fresh challengers are rising stars who are ready to usher in the new era.
They have suffered just a single defeat in 28 combined professional kickboxing bouts, with “Fighting Rooster’s” record standing at 16-1-1 and Di Bella boasting a clean 10-0 slate.
The 19-year-old Zhang has won both of his fights in ONE to earn this crack at the top prize, and the Chinese phenom could enter the record books as the youngest-ever Kickboxing World Champion from China.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Di Bella is new to ONE, but the Italian-Canadian’s perfect record in some of North America’s biggest promotions showed that he was ready for this opportunity.
Zhang likely owns the power advantage, but with a 2-0 record as a professional boxer, Di Bella has the hand speed and fight IQ to make for an extremely interesting stylistic matchup.
#2 Flyweight MMA Madness
The flyweight mixed martial arts division is teeming with talent, and four of its stars are hoping to put themselves closer to the World Title picture.
Fifth-ranked contender and former World Title challenger Reece McLaren will face Windson Ramos, who impressed in his ONE debut earlier this year and has earned five straight victories overall.
Both men are grappling specialists with feared finishing abilities on the ground, so whoever showcases the most well-rounded skill might prevail.
Also on the card, Muay Thai sensation Yodkaikaew Fairtex meets wrestling ace Eko Roni Saputra in a pivotal clash
Indonesia’s Saputra is carrying the confidence of a six-bout winning streak – all coming inside the distance – but “Y2K” needs a victory, and he could be even more dangerous with his back up against the wall.
#3 Lightweight Kickboxing Contenders Aim To Climb Ladder
ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel will aim for Muay Thai gold at ONE on Prime Video 3 later on Friday, but in the meantime, two high-level strikers will try to make their case for a shot at his kickboxing belt.
Islam Murtazaev lost by split decision when he challenged Eersel last time out and knows a win is crucial if he wants to get another chance.
The Russian was due to face off Dutch icon Nieky Holzken at ONE 162, but after Holzken withdrew due to injury, he will now face surging Moldovan Constantin Rusu.
Rusu was successful in his promotional debut against Marouan Toutouh in June, emerging as a name to watch with his powerful boxing offense.
However, Murtazaev’s unpredictable spinning attacks and strong right kicks mean “Lioncrusher” will have to be careful about steaming in with his fast-paced flurries.
With so much at stake, neither man will give an inch as they look to climb the lightweight kickboxing mountain.
#4 Balart Aims To Topple Another Former King
There’s some interest in the upper echelon of the strawweight MMA division, as former divisional king Alex “Little Rock” Silva squares off with rising star and #4-ranked contender Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart.
“Little Rock” has won three of his last four outings, while Balart has scored back-to-back victories – including a massive triumph over former ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke Saruta – so both men are in strong form.
From a stylistic perspective, Silva is a BJJ World Champion and Balart wrestled for Cuba at the Olympics, which throws up an interesting conundrum as to who will dictate the action.
Will “El Gladiador” be willing to employ his takedowns and duke it out on the ground, or will the two grappling dynamos test their stand-up arsenals?
This matchup is an opportunity for Balar to make another giant statement in the division, but Silva will be looking to prove he can still make one more run at the throne.
#5 Exciting Muay Thai Stars Aim For First ONE Wins
The card will feature two Muay Thai encounters between exciting international stars all searching for an important first victory in the Circle.
Frenchman Jimmy Vienot and Danish striker Niclas Larsen will do battle in the bustling featherweight division. Both men are Muay Thai World Champions with experience against the top Thais.
However, they are ultimately looking to claim the top prize – Tawanchai PK.Saenchai‘s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title – and only a win can push them toward it.
Plus, Russia’s Tagir Khalilov is back after his impressive 2021 debut against Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He’ll meet hard-hitting Canadian-Bosnian Denis Puric in a flyweight tussle that will surely be contested at a relentless pace.
