5 Crazy Knockouts From The Stars Of ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic
ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic is brimming with some of the craftiest KO artists on the ONE Championship roster.
And with more US$50,000 performance bonuses on the table, these athletes will be aiming to load, connect, and finish when the action gets underway on Friday, 22 April.
As we look ahead to fight night, let’s relive five of the best knockouts from the stars competing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
#1 Masunyane’s Head Kick Puts Catalan To Sleep
Bokang Masunyane has largely relied on his grappling to compile an 8-0 mixed martial arts record, but in December 2020, the South African dynamo showed that his striking can be just as potent.
In their meeting at ONE: BIG BANG, multiple-time Wushu World Champion Rene Catalan appeared confident that he could walk down “Little Giant” with combinations and strikes – but that idea quickly backfired.
Masunyane narrowly missed the mark with a left head kick during the first exchange, and soon after, he unloaded a knee to the midsection that prompted “The Challenger” to switch levels.
The 27-year-old easily stuffed that takedown attempt from Catalan, created some space, and then uncorked another stinging left kick that landed squarely on the jaw.
The Filipino’s lights were instantly shut off, and “Little Giant” had earned a stunning 37-second KO.
Masunyane now stands as the #1-ranked strawweight contender, and he will aim for another quick finish of #2-ranked Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks in their World Title eliminator on 22 April.
While nothing is official, the winner of this pivotal clash will likely earn the next shot at Joshua Pacio‘s divisional gold.
#2 Meksen Debuts With Masterclass Against Morales
Anissa Meksen arrived in ONE with a reputation as the greatest pound-for-pound female striker in the world. And the kickboxing superstar backed up the hype in her debut against Cristina Morales at ONE: EMPOWER last September.
“C18” threw huge combinations from the opening bell, while Morales – to her credit – withstood the heavy attacks. The Spaniard tried to fire back, though she barely troubled Meksen with her arsenal.
In the second round, Morales’ punching slowly found its mark, which forced the French-Algerian superstar to rethink her strategy. But once she settled back into a rhythm, it was all one-way traffic.
Meksen connected with a right high kick and followed with crisp hooks and straight rights. Sensing the end was near, the seven-time World Champion stung with another two left hooks that dropped her foe to the canvas.
Morales answered the eight-count, but she was on wobbly feet, and referee Olivier Coste stopped the match at 2:27 of the second round.
Next, “C18” will switch over to Muay Thai and continue her legendary career against Estonian phenom Marie “Snow Leopard” Ruumet on 22 April.
#3 Eersel’s Weapons Floor Njokuani
Regian Eersel has produced some electrifying displays on the global stage, but perhaps none were better than his knockout of Anthony Njokuani at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS in February 2019.
The current ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion was at his sparkling best, pressing forward with power and volume while the Nigerian tried to stay beyond his reach.
And every time the athletes found themselves in close quarters, “The Immortal” ensured that his knees, fists, and shins found their mark. He methodically broke down the 42-year-old’s defense, and at 1:03 of the second stanza, that ruthless aggression paid off.
The Sityodtong Amsterdam representative backed his rival against the ropes, tagged him with a couple of hooks, and sent him to the floor with a short right and a knee on the liver.
Njokuani failed to answer the eight-count, handing Eersel his second win in ONE Super Series.
Following that victory, the Dutch-Surinamese superstar picked up the lightweight kickboxing gold in his next appearance, and he’ll defend it for the fourth time against Arian Sadikovic in the 22 April main event.
#4 Williams Folds Dejdamrong With Body Shot
Australian striker Danial Williams had a debut to remember when he battled Muay Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon for three wild rounds in the 2021 ONE Super Series Fight of the Year.
Then at ONE: BAD BLOOD this past February, the former WMC Muay Thai World Champion switched over to MMA and delivered another scintillating showcase against former strawweight king Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.
Despite Dejdamrong’s legendary status in Muay Thai, “Mini T” relied on his own stand-up weapons throughout their contest. The 28-year-old advanced intelligently, landed strikes on the veteran, and exited the pocket with caution.
Ultimately, it was one-punch power that put an end to this clash. As the Thai tried to minimize the onslaught by throwing a left roundhouse kick, Williams blocked it with leather and countered with a precise, thudding right hand to the body.
Dejdamrong was dazed, and seconds later, he dropped to the floor.
On 22 April, “Mini T” will look to continue his rise in the organization with another highlight-reel performance against Japanese mixed martial artist Namiki Kawahara.
#5 Harrison’s Power And Aggression Bests Mohammed
Liam Harrison showed why he’s a six-time Muay Thai World Champion when he took on Mohammed Bin Mahmoud at ONE: A NEW TOMORROW in January 2020.
Everything within the Englishman’s arsenal was spot on, and he barely looked like he’d broken a sweat after leaving the Circle with his hand raised at the 2:03 mark of the opening round.
Early on, the two strikers tested each other with a couple of exchanges, but once the 36-year-old Harrison assessed his rival, he pushed into fifth gear – and boy did he deliver.
“Hitman” forced Mohammed into reverse and connected with a liver shot that momentarily stunned him. “Jordan Boy” attempted to fire back, but the British veteran uncorked a left hook that took him off his feet.
The Malaysian answered the count, but as soon as the match resumed, he found himself back on the canvas via Harrison’s huge punches and elbows.
Somehow, “Jordan Boy” stood back up, but he didn’t last long. “Hitman” floored his opponent once more and ended the fight with an emphatic KO victory.
On 22 April, the Bad Company representative will return to action in a bantamweight bout against Muangthai PK.Saenchai on the main card of ONE: Eersel vs. Sadikovic.
