Mar 3, 2021

5 Reasons To Watch ONE: FISTS OF FURY II

American MMA fighter Emilio Urrutia makes his entrance

ONE: FISTS OF FURY II is just days away, and fans are rightfully eager for the action to kick off inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The previously recorded event that airs this Friday, 5 March, will showcase everything that’s great about martial arts — from strikers to wrestlers and flyweights to heavyweights – across six world-class fights.

With so much to look forward to, we’ve picked out five big reasons to watch the spectacle in “The Lion City” on Friday.

#1 Top Heavyweights Debut

Amir Aliakbari takes on Kang Ji Won in an MMA fight at ONE: FISTS OF FURY II

The big men are in town, and they’re ready to throw down, as the top two bouts will feature new blood in ONE’s rapidly growing heavyweight ranks.

Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion Amir Aliakbari will take his first steps on the global stage against another recent acquisition in “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won.

The South Korean kept his 100 percent knockout streak alive when he defeated Aliakbari’s countryman Mehdi Barghi in his promotional debut at ONE: UNBREAKABLE III on 5 February, and he has a quick turnaround to face the surging Tehran native.

Aliakbari has already gone up against some of the most experienced names in mixed martial arts — posting an incredible 10-1 record with seven knockouts — and he is excited to show that he’s a World Title contender on the global stage.

Meanwhile, former ONE Light Heavyweight World Title challenger Alexandre “Bebezao” Machado has looked better than ever since moving back up a division, and he’ll welcome unbeaten Russian star Anatoly “Spartak” Malykhin to the Circle.

Machado has finished eight of his rivals in nine victories, while Malykhin has gone one better and finished every opponent on his 8-0 slate.

These ginormous athletes all want to earn a shot at ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera, so expect finishes in these titanic clashes.

#2 Thrilling Featherweights Eager To Deliver

Japanese MMA star Ryogo Takahashi fights South Korean blue-chip prospect Yoon Chang Min at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV

While they may occupy smaller frames, the four featherweights on this card bring power, speed, and well-fueled gas tanks to The Home Of Martial Arts.

Ryogo “Kaitai” Takahashi has knocked out 10 opponents in 14 victories, and his rival Tang Kai has scored nine knockouts in 11 victories.

Yoshiki Nakahara has finished seven rivals inside the distance, while unbeaten Kyrgyz newcomer Ruslan “Snow Leopard” Emilbek Uulu has not just defeated 12 men in a row — he has finished nine of them.

These are some seriously dangerous martial artists that can combine every element of skill and athleticism to create exciting battles every time they step inside the Circle.

In one of the busiest divisions in the promotion, only a big performance can make a dent, so each of them will be aiming for a stellar victory to stand out from the chasing pack.

#3 Fast-Paced Thailand-Based Stars Mix It Up

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New Zealander Mark “Tyson” Fairtex Abelardo is currently based out of the Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand, while American Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia now calls the Bangkok Fight Lab his home.

Along with living in “The Land Of Smiles,” these competitors share another similarity with their all-action fighting styles.

Abelardo is a fearless slugger who loves nothing more than to go headlong into the fray and attack his opponents. On the other side, Urrutia is not a man who backs down from that sort of challenge, as fans have seen time and time again.

Urrutia is now dropping to bantamweight for the first time in his ONE tenure, so his chin and power could be even bigger assets. There’s no doubt that “Tyson” will push both of those qualities to their limits.

#4 A Showcase Of MMA

Mark Fairtex Abelardo knees Ayideng Jumayi at ONE DAWN OF VALOR

After the striking-heavy ONE: FISTS OF FURY bill last week, this card is packed with five exciting mixed martial arts battles.

That means fans will be treated to every facet of combat sports — from wrestling and BJJ to Muay Thai, boxing, and karate.

There are a massive amount of ways to win and lose, and those added variables will add extra intrigue to every matchup in Singapore.

Fans will be on the edge of their seats as they await the next strike, slam, choke, or joint lock in the high-octane contests on 5 March.

#5 A Heated Muay Thai Battle

Han Zi Hao attacks Kongsak PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym at ONE MASTERS OF FATE

While five of the bouts will be contested under mixed martial arts rules, one is happening under the ONE Super Series Muay Thai rule set – and that fight is very likely to provide fireworks.

On one side, former ONE World Title challenger Han Zi Hao is eager to break into the rankings and contend for the gold again.

Although he experienced some turbulence following a loss to Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the bantamweight division’s inaugural crown two years ago, the fearless Chinese striker has learned some valuable lessons and has vowed to be more strategic moving forward.

Han also displayed a strong game plan in his knockout victory over Mohammed “Jordan Boy” Bin Mahmoud last October, and he is eager to build off that momentum.

But standing in his way is Adam Noi, who shocked the world when he decimated well-respected veteran Leo Pinto in his ONE Super Series debut.

The 21-year-old French-Algerian striker is a true rising star in “the art of eight limbs,” and if he can defeat a former ONE World Title challenger like Han, he might just break his way into the divisional rankings – and the World Championship picture.