6 Lessons We Learned At ONE: HEART OF THE LION

The latest ONE Championship blockbuster was a thrilling and revealing occasion for martial arts fans.

At ONE: HEART OF THE LION, the world’s best martial artists showed how much they had improved, and many of them achieved great success. New contenders emerged, young talents shined, and veteran champions displayed they are still capable of magic.

These are six lessons we took away from the fantastic event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 9 November.

#1 Kevin Belingon’s Improvement Is Staggering

Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes’ reign as ONE Bantamweight World Champion had lasted five years.

The Brazilian had not even tasted defeat for eight years, but his streak finally came to an end at the hands of his old rival, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.

It was not easy for the ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion to overcome the man who had defeated him via first-round submission in January 2016, but he did it.

Although he was taken down, the Filipino scrambled out of submission attempts this time and made his striking attacks count.

The contest went all the way to the judges, and it was decided by the narrowest of margins. However, that will not change what the history books say – the Team Lakay standout went from sacrificial lamb to conquering hero, and became the undisputed ONE Bantamweight World Champion.

#2 Christian Lee Is Still Getting Better

It is hard to believe Christian “The Warrior” Lee is only 20 years old when he performs as he did in front of his home crowd.

The scary thing for the rest of the featherweight division is that he continues to develop as a mixed martial artist, and he has many years ahead of him to keep improving.

The Singaporean star delivered a dominant performance against Japan’s Kazuki Tokudome, overwhelming him with punches to get a technical knockout in the first round.

It was his 10th stoppage victory in The Home Of Martial Arts, which tied him with Amir Khan for the promotional record and maintained his 100 percent finishing rate.

In his current form, there will be no stopping him earning another World Title shot.

#3 Giorgio Petrosyan’s Striking Is Close To Perfection

Every time Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan steps under the lights to compete, he delivers an outstanding performance.

The Armenian-Italian did it again in his second ONE Super Series kickboxing bout as he outworked Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy for three rounds.

Every time the Thai star threw a punch or kick his way, he returned fire with hard blows.

Petrosyan’s opponent only stayed upright thanks to the cage in the first round when he absorbed a crisp right hook, and though he did not come close to tasting the canvas after that, he did not stop the tide of strikes from his opponent, either.

Sorgraw was game until the end, but he was no match for the two-time K-1 World Max Champion, who won by unanimous decision and looks certain to be inserted into a World Title match when a belt is made in his division.

#4 Tiffany Teo’s Time Away Paid Off

Singapore’s Tiffany “No Chill” Teo said she would be a new and improved version of herself when she returned to action in her hometown, and she delivered on her promise.

The 28-year-old strawweight was put in severe submission danger by Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Michelle Nicolini, but she managed to survive every attempt – although the bell saved her from an armbar at the end of round one.

As the action continued, the Singaporean grew in confidence. She quashed her opponent’s offense with more and more ease, before attacking with punches and kicks.

Teo pressed forward in the final frame, outworking Nicolini and damaging her with strikes to squeeze out a unanimous decision and reclaim her spot as a top contender for the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Title.

#5 Alaverdi Ramazanov Is A Force To Be Reckoned With

Among all the Thais that have shone in ONE Super Series, there is one Russian who has looked just as impressive.

Alaverdi “Dagger” Ramazanov shocked the world with his decision victory against Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai in his maiden contest in The Home Of Martial Arts last month, and followed it up with a stunning knockout in Singapore.

His 57-second stoppage of Scotland’s Andrew “Maddog Fairtex” Miller was the quickest in ONE’s all-striking league so far, and it proved the three-time IFMA Champion has the power to match his ring craft.

With win number two in just a 35-day period, the 23-year-old matched the markers placed by Muay Thai icons like Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Tukkatatong Petpayathai, and established himself as a striker to be wary of.

#6 Muangthai Brings More Than Elbows To The Cage

Three-time Muay Thai World Champion Muangthai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym is known as the “Elbow Zombie” for his amazing elbow knockouts, but he showed he had many more strings to his bow in his ONE debut.

He did not have everything his own way, but he looked assured as he bested Panicos Yusuf over three rounds.

Yusuf, a two-time Muay Thai World Champion in his own right, pushed Muangthai in the first round with fast kicks and two stylish sweeps, but he ate plenty of strikes from his rival, too.

The most significant strike of the round came near its end when the ONE newcomer dropped his rival with a left hand to seal 10-8 scorecards across the board.

Yusuf came out guns blazing after the restart, but Muangthai weathered the storm and fired back with punches, hard kicks, knees in the clinch, and his trademark elbows.

He did not get the finish, but he impressed with every aspect of his game to earn a clear decision.