Breaking Down Each MMA Matchup At ONE Friday Fights 3
The first half of ONE Friday Fights 3 will showcase a trio of exciting mixed martial arts contests this Friday, February 3.
A blend of experienced competitors and rising stars are ready to clash at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, including a hometown favorite and a star striker making the switch to a new sport.
Here’s a closer look at all three MMA battles that will feature in the third installment of ONE’s new weekly showing in the Thai capital.
Shannon Wiratchai vs. Poriya Golpour
Thai MMA pioneer Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai is returning to compete in his hometown, and he’ll be eager to build momentum after getting back into the win column last time out.
The 34-year-old ONE Championship veteran will welcome Poriya Golpour to the organization in a featherweight encounter that will pit his famous striking against the wrestling background of his Iranian foe.
“OneShin” owns concussive punches and an unorthodox style – taking elements from a variety of different arts – and he’s never more than one strike away from ending a fight.
But in the past, his kryptonite has been strong wrestlers who could put him on his back and keep him there.
Spurred on by the partisan Bangkok crowd, Wiratchai won’t want to accept being stuck on the canvas, although it’s unlikely that Golpour’s game plan involves trading blows on the feet, and their contrasting skill sets should produce an intriguing clash of styles.
The Thai’s experience at the top level will help him stay calm if things get tough, but the 25-year-old Iranian knows this is a massive opportunity to make a strong first impression against a revered competitor.
Elliot Compton vs. Allisson Barbosa
Elliot “The Dragon” Compton isn’t a new name to fans of ONE, but his lightweight MMA bout against Allisson Barbosa is something different.
“The Dragon” is a seasoned striker who’s competed in both kickboxing and Muay Thai inside the Circle, but he’s also trained in MMA for most of his life and owns a BJJ brown belt.
He finally debuted in the all-around sport last year outside of ONE – winning via first-round stoppage – and is now hoping to prove himself on the global stage.
Compton will be up against an experienced BJJ black belt in Barbosa, with the Brazilian boasting an 18-8 record that stretches back to 2012.
So, while both men are new to the MMA ranks in ONE, they’ll come armed with veteran composure and dangerous arsenals.
Dmitriy Babkin vs. Ivan Parshikov
Dmitriy Babkin and Ivan Parshikov will open the show in an all-Russian bantamweight battle. Both men are 24 years old, and they own impressive 7-1 and 9-3 records, respectively.
Babkin has finished five of his victories inside the distance, while Parshikov has earned seven stoppage wins, and each man boasts of a mix of victories from strikes and submissions.
This means fans can expect action in every range when the pair do battle on Friday.
Notably, Babkin represents ONE Light Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin’s Russian home gym of Raty, so fans can expect a high-level fighter who trains among the best.
And while both surging bantamweights likely still have a long road ahead before eyeing ONE World Title gold, a positive start at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium will help establish the winner as a threat in the stacked division.
