5 Reasons To Watch ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II
ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Prime Video is right around the corner, and the U.S. primetime event on May 2 boasts a talent-laden lineup of world-class martial arts.
With eight intriguing matchups across three different sports, fans will be in for a treat from the opening fight all the way to the high-stakes headliner.
Here are five reasons why this event at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, will be must-see TV for combat sports enthusiasts worldwide.
#1 A Pivotal Rematch In The Main Event
At ONE Fight Night 28 this past February, rising star Kongthoranee Sor Sommai picked up the biggest victory of his already impressive career when he won a closely contested split decision over former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.
That three-round war extended the 28-year-old Thai’s winning streak to three and solidified him as one of the flyweight Muay Thai division’s most dangerous contenders.
The legendary Nong-O, though, is determined to even the score and prove that his loss to Konghtoranee – which marked his debut in ONE’s flyweight division – was merely a fluke.
Renowned for his devastating power and technical brilliance, the 38-year-old Thai has promised a more aggressive approach this time around, with both strikers hunting for a definitive ending in this hotly anticipated main event.
#2 Pound-For-Pound BJJ Greats Battle For World Title Gold
Reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo will look to further his legacy as an all-time great when he defends the belt against Canadian powerhouse and two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Dante Leon.
These pound-for-pound BJJ superstars have met twice before outside of ONE, with each man holding one victory, so the stage is set for an epic trilogy match with submission grappling’s most prestigious prize on the line.
Still just 22 years old, Ruotolo has looked nothing short of sensational through seven dominant appearances in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Leon, though, is arguably the most well-rounded and technically proficient grappler on the planet today – skills that complement his immense physicality and strength, making him the toughest test yet for the American titleholder.
#3 Young Stars Make U.S. Primetime Debuts
ONE Fight Night 31 will showcase several rising stars who are undoubtedly hungry to make waves on the global stage.
Highly touted 19-year-old phenom Akif “King” Guluzada earned his spot on ONE’s global roster with a trio of thrilling performances at ONE Friday Fights, capped by a Knockout of the Year candidate in January.
The Azerbaijani youngster will aim to back up hype when he squares off with former Road to ONE: America tournament winner Sean “The One” Climaco in an explosive flyweight Muay Thai tilt.
Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev also earned his U.S. primetime debut by impressing at ONE Friday Fights.
The 23-year-old Russian slugger has proven to be a ruthless knockout artist, but he’s in for a big step up in competition when he squares off with decorated Thai veteran and former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex in an intriguing bantamweight Muay Thai clash.
Also, surging Brazilian phenom Lucas Gabriel will lock horns with Chinese veteran Zhang Lipeng in a pivotal lightweight MMA scrap.
Gabriel has displayed dangerous submission skills and an endless gas tank throughout three appearances and three wins at ONE Friday Fights, but he’ll face his most difficult opponent yet in the experienced Zhang.
#4 A Showcase Of Elite International Muay Thai
Beyond the all-Thai matchup in the headline attraction, the card features a truly global collection of elite Muay Thai talent representing countries and continents across the globe.
In a must-watch rematch between two of Europe’s most entertaining strikers, Spanish standout Nauzet Trujillo will look to repeat the most important victory of his career when he goes toe-to-toe with British sensation “Lethal” Liam Nolan.
Before that, undefeated Colombian destroyer Jordan Estupinan hopes to elevate South American Muay Thai to new heights when he faces Russian knockout artist Ali Saldoev, who brings an all-action style of striking that never disappoints.
Those matchups will join the previously mentioned bouts between Azerbaijani phenom Guluzada and Filipino-American star Climaco, and the clash between Thailand’s Saemapetch and Russian rising star Dayakaev.
#5 The Next Welterweight MMA World Title Challenger Could Emerge
Isi “Doxz” Fitikefu and Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam each know that a crack at 26 pounds of gold could be on the line in their welterweight MMA showdown.
A proud Tongan based in Australia, Fitikefu comes into the contest riding back-to-back victories, having employed his well-rounded game and crushing physicality to set himself apart.
Kadestam, though, is hungry to reclaim the gold he once held.
The former divisional king boasts a three-fight winning streak of his own, a 100 percent finishing rate in ONE victories, and a proven World Championship pedigree.
With these men known for their devastating finishing abilities and their fearless approaches to fighting, this contest promises white-knuckle action and could produce the next challenger for reigning ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee.
