5 Reasons To Watch ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell Vs. Diachkova On Prime Video
When ONE Championship returns to Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium this Friday, May 3, the global fan base will be treated to an 11-fight card bursting at the seams with compelling matchups.
Topped by a must-see World Title showdown, ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video will air live in U.S. primetime to over 190 countries globally and will feature a number of the planet’s most talented martial artists.
Fans will see an assortment of pivotal MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling battles, and a victory could change the course of every winner’s career in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Before the action gets underway, here are the five biggest reasons to watch ONE Fight Night 22 live.
#1 A Must-See World Title Main Event Between Knockout Artists
In the headline attraction, reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Smilla “The Hurricane” Sundell will put her gold on the line against Natalia “Karelian Lynx” Diachkova – an athlete many consider to be the teenage phenom’s toughest challenge yet.
Sundell has enjoyed a spectacular run of dominance in ONE so far, scoring a pair of unforgettable knockouts across four total victories to cement her status as one of Muay Thai’s top female pound-for-pound competitors.
Diachkova, however, could put an end to the Swedish teen queen’s reign of terror. A fearless brawler with ruthless finishing instincts, the Russian boasts three first-round knockouts in ONE and looks to have all the power and skills to contend with Sundell no matter how the fight plays out.
Simply put, the main event is destined to produce white-knuckle action for as long as it lasts.
#2 A Trio Of Surging World Title Challengers Could Emerge
The card could also see several athletes stake their claim to a coveted shot at 26 pounds of gold.
In the co-main event, undefeated rising stars Akbar “Bakal” Abdullaev and Halil “No Mercy” Amir will put their pristine records on the line and try to earn a shot at the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title.
Both men are well-rounded finishers, and each athlete surely knows that a sensational performance at ONE Fight Night 22 could catapult the winner to the top of the division.
Before that, former ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title challengers Sinsamut “Aquaman” Klinmee and Dmitry Menshikov will throw down in an explosive battle.
With each man riding a two-fight winning streak, both the Thai fan favorite and Russian brawler are well-positioned for another crack at the belt.
And needless to say, reigning divisional kingpin Regian Eersel will be keeping a close eye on the action.
Also, Chinese megastar “Demon Blade” Wei Rui will make his highly anticipated promotional debut against former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion and current #1-ranked contender Hiroki Akimoto.
For the 34-year-old Wei, who is already considered one of the planet’s best pound-for-pound kickboxers, this will be his opportunity to showcase his immense talent on the global stage and announce himself as the biggest threat to reigning two-sport ONE World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.
As for Akimoto, the Japanese karate stylist hopes to spoil his foe’s coming-out party and secure a chance to regain the World Title he once held.
#3 A Battle Of Top-Five Flyweight MMA Contenders
In flyweight MMA action, #5-ranked contender “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong hopes to continue his meteoric rise when he squares off against #4-ranked Australian veteran Reece “Lightning” McLaren.
Beyond the obvious ramifications for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title picture, the contest is guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Now riding a three-fight winning streak and boasting a pair of breakout victories in 2023, Hu, with his explosive and dynamic striking attack, has ignited the passion of fans around the globe.
Standing in his way will be McLaren. While the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt comes into the bout following a difficult loss to former divisional titleholder Kairat Akhmetov in his last outing, “Lightning” has all the skills to put an end to Hu’s climb and announce himself as the most dangerous contender of the bunch.
#4 The Women’s Combat Sports Movement Continues
The main event isn’t the only pivotal women’s bout taking place at ONE Fight Night 22.
Earlier in the evening, undefeated Japanese powerhouse Chihiro Sawada will lock horns with talented judoka Noelle “Lil’ Monkey” Grandjean in an intriguing atomweight MMA clash between two of the division’s fastest-rising stars.
A former Shooto Atomweight Champion, Sawada will put her world-class wrestling attack to the ultimate test against Grandjean, who possesses an elite clinch game and shockingly powerful striking.
And in submission grappling action, decorated BJJ black belt Bianca Basilio hopes to earn another US$50,000 performance bonus in her third promotional appearance when she takes on Japanese newcomer Nanami Ichikawa.
Widely regarded among the world’s top ground fighters, the Brazilian will aim to showcase her aggressive, submission-hunting approach.
Meanwhile, the well-rounded Ichikawa looks to make an instant impact in the world’s largest martial arts organization and send shockwaves throughout the global BJJ community.
#5 More Of The World’s Greatest Strikers Return
ONE boasts the greatest roster of strikers the world has ever seen, and a number of them are set to go to war on May 3.
Beloved Thai brawler Thongpoon PK Saenchai will aim to continue his climb up the strawweight Muay Thai ladder when he throws down with Zakaria El Jamari, a man long considered to be one of the Middle East’s greatest talents.
Also, Muay Thai sensation Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong will go head-to-head with Bulgarian standout Bogdan Shumarov in a kickboxing battle that pits a supremely skilled technician against an explosive knockout artist.
And lastly, 2023 Road to ONE: U.S. winner Sean Climaco hopes to make a splash in his promotional debut when he squares off against Mexican star Josue “Tuzo” Cruz in the opening bout of the night.
