ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT's Top 5 Highlights

ONE Championship returned to Bangkok, Thailand for the second time this year on Friday, 10 May, and the promotion delivered perhaps its most thrilling show in the Impact Arena yet.

Fans witnessed adversity, drama, and stunning finishes all throughout ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT, as well as a pair of explosive World Title showdowns.

Now, just hours removed from the blockbuster, we look back on the five best highlights from an action-filled night.

#1 Nong-O Retains His World Title In Five-Round Main Event

Thai hero Nong-O Gaiyanghadao put his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against surging Japanese Shoot Boxing World Champion Hiroaki “Kaibutsukun” Suzuki, and showcased the dominant offense that brought him to the top of the striking world.

The Evolve representative continually pounded away with his punishing right kick to the body, which left visible signs of damage on “Kaibutsukun.” Suzuki’s courage kept him in the contest, and he never showed any signs of quitting. But the Thai’s dominance left no doubt which way the judges would render their decision.

Nong-O became the first athlete in ONE Super Series history to successfully defend a World Title, much to the delight of the fans in attendance at the Impact Arena.

#2 Petchdam And Mahmoudi’s Clash Of Styles Thrills The Crowd

“The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy caused the Bangkok crowd to erupt with his entrance, and his opponent Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi helped to keep them elevated by matching the Thai blow for blow in an exciting ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title contest.

The French-Algerian came out with guns blazing in the early rounds. He put his punches together more successfully to edge ahead of the Thai’s powerful single shots, and he also took aim with a wider variety of techniques.

Petchdam warmed into the bout, and he started to land his trademark left kick and straight left hand. It seemed like it was all to play for in the final round, and both men came to put their stamp on it.

An accidental low blow meant “The Sniper” could not continue and a technical decision was rendered in favor of Petchdam. However, the unfortunate ending did not overshadow the fantastic action that preceded it.

#3 Mitsatit Calls His Shot And Lands It

Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit returned to the winner’s circle in front of his home crowd in Bangkok, and what was even more impressive was that he called his shot ahead of time.

Mitsatit said that knees were Catalan’s weakness, and evidently, his observation was correct. Catalan fell initially from a succession of knees early in the opening round, but the referee deemed the first strike a low blow and allowed him injury time to recover.

When they restarted, the Northern Muay Thai Champion of Thailand continued to pick from the toolkit he honed in his days as a competitor in “the art of eight limbs.”

“The Smiling Assassin” clinched up with his rival and landed a crushing knee to the solar plexus, which ended “The Ilonggo’s” night nearly three minutes into the contest.

#4 New Blood Usurps A Legend In Bout Of The Night

Youth met experience when Savvas “The Baby Face Killer” Michael and Singtongnoi Por Telakun faced off in a rip-roaring three-round battle.

The 20-year-old Cypriot took the nod from the judges, but Singtongnoi showed he can still maintain a relentless pace at age 38.

Michael dominated the first two rounds with a sharp boxing attack — his jab was a key tool, but his left hooks to the body accumulated the most damage.

“The Baby Face Killer” also landed hard knees and kicks, but the Thai came back strong in round three with a solid clinch and elbow game to let the rising star know his competitive fire still burns bright.

#5 Buist Scores Comeback KO In ONE Debut

Pieter “The Archangel” Buist showed his grit to come from behind and claim victory in his debut on the global stage for martial arts.

Kota “Kong” Shimoishi controlled the Dutchman on the mat in round one and it looked set to be a repeat performance in the second. However, “The Archangel” only needed a brief period of offense to score a knockout victory.

Buist scrambled up from the canvas and then stuffed his Japanese rival’s next attempt to drag the match to the ground. He capitalized instantly as he dropped Shimoishi with a right hand, and then launched a final flurry of knees to put his opponent out and claim the win.