ICYMI: Everything That Went Down In ONE Championship In December 2024
ONE Championship has finished another action-packed year in style.
Over the past four weeks, the world’s largest martial arts organization hosted a captivating U.S. primetime event, held a trio of explosive Asia primetime shows, and announced several blockbuster matchups for 2025.
Before we kick off another year, let’s recap everything that went down in ONE Championship during December 2024.
World Champions Keep Their Belts At ONE Fight Night 26
A pair of titleholders retained their golden belts at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, which aired live in U.S. primetime on December 6 from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
In his long-awaited return to action, two-division MMA king Christian Lee went toe-to-toe with undefeated challenger Alibeg Rasulov The duo engaged in a war for the ONE Lightweight MMA World Title, but an accidental eye poke prematurely ended the match in the second round, resulting in a no contest.
Earlier on the bill, ONE Women’s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mayssa Bastos defeated former divisional queen Danielle Kelly for the second time in their high-stakes rematch. It was a highly competitive showdown, but the Brazilian earned a catch with a heel hook attempt in the waning moments to keep her belt.
Shadow Defeats Sitthichai, More Shocking Results At ONE Friday Fights 92
The last show of the year, ONE Friday Fights 92: Sitthichai vs. Shadow, went down in Asia primetime on December 20 – and there were a number of surprising outcomes.
Rising star Shadow Singha Mawynn earned the biggest win of his career, as he battered former eight-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong en route to a unanimous decision victory in their featherweight Muay Thai clash.
That was far from the only upset.
Chinese debutant Liu Mengyang knocked down Japanese megastar Masaaki Noiri and earned a clear-cut unanimous decision in their featherweight kickboxing matchup, while unbeaten Russian slugger Egor Bikrev knocked out seven-time Muay Thai World Champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon to emerge as a breakout name in the flyweight Muay Thai division.
Also on the card, top pound-for-pound kickboxers delivered performances to remember, as Marat Grigorian knocked out Moroccan phenom Abdelali Zahidi and women’s GOAT Annisa Meksen spoiled the ONE debut of Kana Morimoto by cruising to a unanimous decision.
More Thrills At ONE Friday Fights 90 & 91
There was more explosive Asia primetime action in the last two weeks of the month.
In the main event of ONE Friday Fights 90 on December 6, Belarusian brawler Antar Kacem battered and bruised Kongklai Sor Sommai, ultimately putting him to sleep with a right hook in the second round.
There was also a jaw-dropping finish in the co-main event, as unbeaten Russian firecracker Asadula Imangazaliev stopped former top-five flyweight Muay Thai contender Dedduanglek Wankhongohm MBK with a spinning backfist in just 60 seconds.
Seven days later, Thailand’s Komawut FA Group made his presence felt in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 91, as he bested Russia’s Alexey Balyko to earn a unanimous decision win.
But perhaps it was Freddie Haggerty, the younger brother of ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, who made the biggest impact at the show.
The 20-year-old English prodigy recorded his third straight knockout victory at ONE Friday Fights – this time, relentlessly mauling Kaoklai Chor Hapayak with vigorous rights and lefts to get the stoppage.
Massive Fights Announced For 2025’s First Quarter
A plethora of blockbuster matchups were announced for the first three months of 2025.
Many bouts had already been confirmed for ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev on Prime Video in U.S. primetime on January 10, but a pivotal submission grappling match was recently added to the bill.
Canadian powerhouse Dante Leon, just a week removed from his sensational debut victory over Bruno Pucci, will face former two-time ONE World Title challenger Tommy Langaker in a 180-pound catchweight submission grappling match.
There’s no doubt that reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo will be paying close attention to this ground battle, while Leon will be looking for revenge after a tight loss to Langaker outside of ONE in 2018.
On January 24, fans will witness three more must-see showdowns at ONE 170 in Asia primetime at Bangkok’s Impact Arena.
The event will mark the return of BJJ GOAT Marcelo Garcia, who will begin his comeback tour against Masakazu Imanari in an openweight submission grappling contest.
In addition, top-five bantamweight Muay Thai contenders will throw down, as #3-ranked Kiamrian Nabati battles #5-ranked Nabil Anane. Plus, Freddie Haggerty will move up a division to face Johan Estupinan’s twin brother, Jordan Estupinan, in a flyweight Muay Thai clash.
On Thursday, February 20, the world’s largest martial arts organization will return to Lusail Sports Arena for the second time in two years with ONE 171: Qatar.
The first six matches for the martial arts showcase have now been announced, including a pair of World Championship battles.
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty will defend his gold against #1-ranked contender Wei Rui, while divisional king Joshua Pacio will meet interim titleholder Jarred Brooks to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in a trilogy fight.
Also on the card, fans will see #3-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil Gasanov square off against #4-ranked Martin Nguyen, and a welterweight MMA match between Turkish juggernaut Dagi Arslanaliev and Croatian sensation Roberto Soldic.
In another featured clash, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champions Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon will collide for the fifth and final time, with Fernandes set to retire following the fight. And after a two-year absence, Indian wrestling icon Ritu Phogat will return to face #5-ranked atomweight MMA contender Ayaka Miura.
The promotion will also return to Japan for ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on March 23.
Headlining the bill at Saitama Super Arena is the long-awaited flyweight kickboxing super-fight between former longtime ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa.
Additionally, the event will feature a rematch for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title, as former divisional kingpin and current #1-ranked Adriano Moraes goes head-to-head with #2-ranked Yuya Wakamatsu.
Keep checking onefc.com for more news and announcements about 2025 events.
