The Top Fight Highlights From ONE: UNBREAKABLE II
With six finishes in six fights, ONE: UNBREAKABLE II was fireworks from bell to bell when the show aired on Friday, 29 January.
Whether it was a historic knockout or an impressive submission, incredible heart and skill were on full display in every bout.
It was tough to choose the best moments after such an eventful night, but ultimately, some athletes shined brightest in “The Lion City.” Let’s take a trip back to the Singapore Indoor Stadium and relive the top three highlights from ONE: UNBREAKABLE II.
#1 Cerilli’s Thunderous Leg Kick
Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli entered the main event of ONE: UNBREAKABLE II with the intent to finish Abdulbasir “Dagestan Machine” Vagabov and earn a rematch with Brandon “The Truth” Vera for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.
The first part of his plan was a rousing success.
The Italian shut down the offense of Vagabov in the first round, setting the pace for the action and not allowing “Dagestan Machine” to control the bout on the canvas.
In the second, Cerilli came forward and put Vagabov on his back foot. A left jab then forced the Russian to cover up, and as he did, the Aurora Fight Team representative hammered his foe’s leg with a right outside kick that damaged the “Dagestan Machine.”
Vagabov collapsed to the canvas, and after a few quick ground-and-pound strikes, the referee stepped in to stop the contest.
As for the rematch with Vera, only time will tell, but Cerilli certainly made a strong argument with the main event finish.
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#2 Kwon’s Body Work Pays Off
Some say the strikes that “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il landed on “The Ghost” Chen Rui are still echoing through the halls of the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The two athletes went to work from the opening bell and landed cracking blows on one another as they met inside the proverbial phone booth. However, Kwon closed the first round with a bevy of ground-and-pound strikes to take a decided edge in the contest.
“Pretty Boy” then styled and profiled in the second frame, with strikes coming at his foe from all angles. Chen’s warrior spirit lifted him through the round, as he took the punishment and tried firing back with punches of his own.
But ultimately, Kwon would put this fight away early in the final frame. First, a digging left hook to the body forced Chen to the Circle Wall. “The Ghost” came forward, but he ate another left hook to the body that drained his energy. Next, Kwon went to the head, but he changed course and dug in a third and final left hook that put Chen on the canvas for good.
With another highlight-reel finish, “Pretty Boy” is quickly becoming one of the sport’s most exciting athletes.
#3 Isaev’s Record-Setting ‘KO Of The Year’ Candidate
Russia’s Beybulat Isaev submitted an early entry for “Knockout of the Year” with a first-round KO of Mihajlo Kecojevic.
Kecojevic came out strongly, but Isaev looked crisp with his counters. And when the Serbian striker continued trying to score points, that aggressiveness opened a big hole for his adversary to exploit.
The crucial moment came when Kecojevic missed with a right hand that left him defenseless as the Fight Club NORD 86 representative returned fire with a crushing overhand right. The shot from Isaev connected cleanly on the jaw, nearly knocking Kecojevic’s mouthpiece out and ending the bout in mesmerizing fashion.
The official time of the finish came at 1:22 of the first round, setting a ONE Super Series record for the fastest knockout at light heavyweight as Isaev sent a strong message to the rest of the division.
Read more: ONE: UNBREAKABLE II – Full Results And Highlights For Cerilli Vs. Vagabov
