5 Takeaways From ONE Fight Night 6
ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov kicked off ONE Championship’s 2023 with a night of high-stakes action inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 13.
Three title fights headlined the eight-bout card, and two new World Champions were crowned. Emotions ran high, and the athletes put their best foot forward to deliver a memorable night for fans around the world.
As the doors close on the event that has set the tone for 2023, let’s look at the five biggest takeaways from ONE Fight Night 6.
Allazov Takes Pound-For-Pound Mantle In Stunning Fashion
The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship was not the only trophy Superbon Singha Mawynn put on the line against Chingiz Allazov. The Thai superstar also put his status as kickboxing’s pound-for-pound best athlete up for grabs, too — and “Chinga” took both in show-stopping fashion.
The 29-year-old brought the action to Superbon from the opening bell. His pressure kept the Thai star off balance and unable to get into a rhythm. A Superman punch in the second round rocked Superbon before another right hand earned the Azerbaijani-Belarusian his first knockdown.
Although Superbon got to his feet, a second knockdown and eight-count followed. Then, sensing the victory was near, Allazov got right back in his face. Along the Circle Wall, “Chinga” plastered the defending champion with a right hand for a staggering knockout finish and US$50,000 performance bonus courtesy of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Allazov’s insane four-match winning streak has seen him take out the biggest names in the division’s history, including three by jaw-dropping knockout. He moved his career record to an astonishing 60-5-1 and now gets to put the gold beside his silver ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Title.
As the new king of the most stacked division in all of combat sports, “Chinga” will wear a massive target on his back. But that doesn’t mean his hunting is done. Following the win, Allazov called out ONE Lightweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Regian Eersel, which could prove to be one of 2023’s biggest bouts if it comes to fruition.
Rodtang And Superlek On Course For Flyweight Supremacy
Flyweight superstars Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon have been on a collision course since joining the organization, and after ONE Fight Night 6, it is apparent that the two strikers will clash in 2023, and maybe more than once.
Superlek captured the vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title this past weekend with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Daniel Puertas. Earlier in the night, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang won his kickboxing battle against Jiduo Yibu and made his plans of two-sport dominance known after the bout.
Whether it’s under kickboxing, Muay Thai, or both rule sets, 2023 will likely be the year fans finally get to see two of the most exhilarating strikers go toe-to-toe inside the Circle. There is no way around it. Rodtang vs. Superlek is going to be one of the year’s most anticipated matchups in all of martial arts.
Musumeci Continues His Reign Of Dominance
ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci continued his tremendous streak of grappling performances on the global stage with a unanimous decision win over Gantumur Bayanduuren.
Although he did not get the submission he had hoped for, “Darth Rigatoni” constantly attacked and scored numerous catches during their 10-minute contest. One of the best catches was when he locked in his modified heel hook, also known as the “Mikey Lock.” However, Bayanduuren gutted it out and never tapped.
The five-time IBJJF World Champion continues to reinvent the game and elevate the sport of submission grappling. In fact, no one has come close to threatening the 26-year-old phenom in his three bouts in ONE.
Riding tremendous momentum into the new year, the question of who can challenge the New Jersey native has to be asked. As new contenders emerge with the hopes of dethroning “Darth Rigatoni,” Musumeci will be there to make them choke on their aspirations.
Aung La N Sang Caps Off Hero’s Welcome With TKO
The Impact Arena’s structure was tested as the raucous crowd shook the rafters when Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang made his walk to the Circle. Fans from Myanmar made the trip to cheer on their hero, and their presence was known.
The Kill Cliff FC representative made quick work of Gilberto Gilvao in their 215-pound catchweight mixed martial arts battle.
“The Burmese Python” pummeled his Brazilian foe with heavy leather before earning his eighth-career first-round finish inside the Circle and 20th overall. The dominant showing also earned him a US$50,000 bonus.
The dominant showcase was a statement that Aung La N Sang is ready for all challengers this year. It was a statement he echoed in the post-match interview when asked who he wants to face next. “Anyone. It don’t matter. I’m ONE Championship’s hit man,” Aung La N Sang said to Mitch Chilson.
Stamp’s Big Return To Kickboxing
Stamp Fairtex entered the week expecting to face Anissa Meksen in an atomweight mixed rules super-fight, but she ended up in a kickboxing battle instead. How she performed on short notice against a bigger opponent in a totally different sport than she anticipated was nothing short of spectacular.
Meksen missed the weight and hydration testing window and could not compete. Likewise, Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak needed a new opponent after Ekaterina Vandaryeva missed weight for their strawweight Muay Thai match. Less than 24 hours before the event, the two Thai stars agreed to step inside the Circle and throw leather in a strawweight kickboxing contest.
Despite giving up height, reach, and weight to her fellow compatriot, Stamp used her powerful counters to repeatedly tag Jaroonsak in each round. The 25-year-old had to overcome “Supergirl’s” relentless pressure and came out on the other end with a split-decision victory.
In what was her first kickboxing match in nearly three years, Stamp showed on short notice why she is one of the brightest stars in the sport. The former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion’s performance reflected that she is still at the top of her game and ready to contend for gold, no matter which sport she competes in.
