6 Big Reasons Why You Can’t Miss ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON

ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON is slated to be one of the biggest martial arts spectacles of 2019.

This coming Friday, 17 May, ONE Championship brings its 16-bout mega card to the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and the show is packed with some of the most popular athletes in the martial arts industry.

The blockbuster event features a pair of World Title showdowns, the entire quarterfinal round of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix, and so much more.

Here are six big reasons why you simply cannot miss ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON.

#1 A ONE Lightweight World Title Main Event

The main event features reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki defending the gold against his Evolve teammate Christian “The Warrior” Lee.

Aoki, a well-established veteran, has seen almost everything in the sport of mixed martial arts, whereas Lee is a fast-rising talent whose level of improvement from bout to bout suggests he will present a formidable challenge.

“Tobikan Judan” is back in form after defeating Eduard Folayang to reclaim the World Title in March, and he is excited to face a young challenger who he has described as “the most promising athlete in Asia.”

Lee, meanwhile, is pumped up for his opportunity to face a legend and challenge for ONE World Title gold. What’s more, he confidently predicted he will finish the Tokyo native inside the opening round.

The battle between youth and experience should deliver a fascinating clash at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, but who will walk away with the belt?

#2 ONE Super Series World Title Gold

Two Dutch striking phenoms will pit their skills against one another for the inaugural ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title.

Nieky “The Natural” Holzken has long proved his worth at the top level in both kickboxing and boxing. The WFCA Kickboxing World Champion has 92 kickboxing victories to his name, and he will look to add both another win to his record and the ONE World Title to his trophy case.

Standing in his way with the same goal is his countryman, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel.

Eersel may be nine years Holkzen’s junior and may not possess his rival’s veteran experience, but he is every bit as dangerous. He has captured both Lion Fight and MFC World Championships, and if he can secure his 54th professional career victory on Friday, then he will complete the hat trick of World Title belts.

#3 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix

The entire quarterfinal round of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix will be contested, and each bout will feature a World Champion stand-up martial artist.

Four explosive tournament bouts will entertain the crowd inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium, as Giorgio “The Doctor”Petrosyan takes on Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy, “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut faces Sasha Moisa, “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex battles Samy “AK47” Sana, and Dzhabar “Genghis Khan” Askerov squares off against Enriko “The Hurricane” Kehl.

In addition to that, Daniel “The Rock” Dawson meets Brown Pinas in an alternate bout, with the winner filling in as a potential replacement should a participant get injured.

It is very rare to see eight of the world’s best stand-up martial artists compete on one card, let alone 10. This is just the beginning of what should be the best strikers’ tournament in at least a decade.

#4 A ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Semifinal

Singapore’s own Amir Khan makes an unexpected and dramatic return to the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix as he steps back into the fray to face Turkey’s Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev in the semifinals.

Khan was initially defeated by Ariel Sexton in the quarterfinals after one of the most thrilling bouts of the year so far. But an injury to “Tarzan” has opened the door for Khan to return to the tournament.

However, in order to advance to the final, he will have to defeat one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world. Arslanaliev has finished all of his wins inside the distance, with six of his seven career victories coming in the very first round.

It’s a match-up that will see Khan’s striking prowess and experience at the top level matched against the Turkish star’s well-roundedness and quickfire finishing ability.

#5 The Debut Of “Super” Sage Northcutt

One of the most spectacular new signings to the ONE roster will make his long-awaited debut in Singapore, as American karate ace “Super” Sage Northcutt takes on kickboxing veteran Cosmo “Good Boy” Alexandre in a welterweight mixed martial arts bout.

Northcutt’s rise to prominence has been outstanding, and now he is all set to bring his unique mix of dynamic striking and infectious enthusiasm to The Home Of Martial Arts.

Alexandre has the overall experience advantage, especially when taking into account his extensive Muay Thai and kickboxing background. However, the 23-year-old Northcutt has more mixed martial arts bouts to his name, which could ultimately play a factor.

With both men’s penchant for standing and trading, the match-up could produce some of the most explosive action of the night.

#6 More World Champions Return

In addition to all the World Title bouts, Grands Prix contests, and superstar debuts, there will be several World Champions returning to action.

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio joins a trio of former ONE Strawweight World Champions on the card in “The Lion City.”

Eustaquio faces South Korea’s Kim Kyu Sung, while Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito takes on Alex “Little Rock” Silva in a hotly-anticipated trilogy battle.

Also, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke squares off against Chinese contender Miao Li Tao as he bids to extend his winning streak and continue his run back towards the belt.