5 Valuable Lessons We Learned From ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS

After a night of unforgettable martial arts action in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS is officially in the books.

Through a World Title match, two ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix quarter-final bouts, and a bunch of other kickboxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts contests, fans were thrilled and surprised by the action in equal measure.

Now that the dust is settled, check out five of the biggest takeaways from a historic night in ONE Championship’s birthplace.

#1 Stamp Fairtex‘s Diversity & Maturity Tough To Match

When Stamp Fairtex was slotted into a bout for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship, many analysts expected the natural Muay Thai stylist to make the most of the sport’s rule set.

However, up against the crafty Janet “JT” Todd, the 21-year-old Thai prodigy took a more measured approach than in her last match – when she attacked Kai Ting Chuang relentlessly to win the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title.

We still got to see Stamp’s skill in the clinch with her knees, but her opponent is highly talented in close quarters, so she showcased her diversity with a boxing-heavy attack. That approach is more traditionally associated with Western nak muay, but the Pattaya native used it well to outpoint Todd over five rounds.

Her ability to adapt, coupled with the way she coped with the American’s late charge and the pressure of her first main event in The Home Of Martial Arts, made for a phenomenal performance overall.

As Stamp gets more experience on the global stage for martial arts, it is easy to imagine her holding onto her two belts for a long time.

#2 Fireworks Are Set For World Grand Prix Semi-Final

Mixed martial arts may be the most unpredictable sport in the world, but if there is one thing that is certain, it is that you will not want to miss Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton VS Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev.

Both men are known for the excitement they bring to The Home Of Martial Arts, but their efforts in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix quarter-finals in Singapore may have been their best yet.

Arslanaliev got his fastest career stoppage yet with his explosive 25-second knockout of Ev “E.T.” Ting, and in the following bout, “Tarzan” snatched an incredible come-from-behind victory by making Amir Khan tap to a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Both men are well-rounded martial artists with the ability to absorb a ton of damage and dish out all kinds of match-ending offense.

Their semi-final contest cannot come quickly enough.

#3 Petchdam’s Punches Are As Dangerous As His Kicks

Petchdam Petchindee Academy came into his ONE Super Series flyweight kickboxing encounter with Masahide “Crazy Rabbit” Kudo on the back of two knockouts earned with his lightning left kick.

The Thai hero unleashed his favorite weapon as expected, but his Japanese opponent did well to minimize the damage.

However, he was not prepared for the knockout power of the 20-year-old’s straight left hand, which followed Petchdam’s signature strike at the start of round two. The punch pierced through the RISE Featherweight Champion’s guard and sent him to the canvas.

Kudo tried to recover, but the force of the blow had him on rubber legs, and the contest was called off.

Kickboxers and Muay Thai competitors beware – the Bangkok native has many weapons to knock you out.

#4 Ayaka Miura Could Be A World Title Contender

Laura “La Gladiadora” Balin earned a reputation for being a tough, tenacious warrior after she went all five rounds with “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan.

With that in mind, it was a surprise to see Ayaka Miura do what the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion could not do and finish the Argentinian in just 73 seconds.

It may have been the rising Japanese star’s debut on the global stage for martial arts, but the 28-year-old approached the biggest challenge of her career with the confidence of a veteran.

Using her third-degree judo black-belt skills, she tossed Balin onto the mat, sealed a tight scarf hold, and got the quick tap with an Americana.

If she can do that to such a top-level contender, it is not too farfetched to suggest she might give her division’s queen some trouble on the mat, too.

#5 Masakazu Imanari Is On The Comeback Trail

At 43 years young, Masakazu “Ashikan Judan” Imanari may be launching one last run at World Title glory.

The Japanese mixed martial arts legend has looked back to his brilliant best in his last two bouts as he scored the 26th and 27th submissions of his career against two young and hungry rising stars.

At ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS, he showed again how dangerous it is to go to the ground with him, as he submitted “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il in the first round. It was the first defeat of the South Korean’s career.

Imanari holds a victory over ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon from all the way back in October 2012 at ONE: WAR OF THE LIONS. Given the chance to tangle with the Filipino again, the old master has the leg-lock wizardry to spring a surprise on the martial arts world.