Nov 21, 2020

The Top Highlights From ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV

Italian Muay Thai fighter Joseph Lasiri fights former ONE World Title challenger Rocky Ogden at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV

It was nonstop action in Singapore at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV on Friday, 20 November.

The previously recorded event opened with three straight finishes before seeing one of the best ONE Super Series Muay Thai matchups of the year.

Finally, the show was capped off by Aslanbek Zikreev picking up a split decision over #2-ranked strawweight kickboxing contender “Golden Boy” Wang Junguang in the night’s headline attraction.

After all the thrills, we’ve picked out three performances that wowed fans the most at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV.

#1 Lasiri Wins Thriller Over Ogden

It was never going to be easy, but WBC Muay Thai World Champion Joseph “The Hurricane” Lasiri picked up a massive victory against WPMF Muay Thai World Champion and #2-ranked strawweight Muay Thai contender Rocky Ogden in Singapore.

The 59-kilogram catch weight affair got off to a quick start with a fast-paced first round. The Aussie’s punishing right leg kicks scored throughout the frame, while Lasiri used forward pressure to close the distance and work his strikes within range.

The Italian was able to get a prolonged clinch in the early portion of the second round and connected with crisp elbows from the inside. And even though Ogden’s leg kicks began to add up, Lasiri found his rhythm and looked sharp with a full arsenal of attacks.

Although Ogden had his moments in the third round, piercing elbows from “The Hurricane” took control of the action. Lasiri’s pressure kept the Aussie on the defensive, and the Italian closed the final stanza looking like the stronger athlete.

The close contest split the judges, but it was Lasiri who edged out the Aussie in one of the most exciting Muay Thai battles of the year.

#2 Takahashi’s Big KO

Ryogo “Kaitai” Takahashi and “The Big Heart” Yoon Chang Min both threw heat from the opening bell, but it was the former who got the best of those exchanges by night’s end.

The Krazy Bee athlete’s takedown defense kept the action on the feet, and he put Yoon on rubber legs in the first minute of the second round with a brilliant right cross. The South Korean recovered, but his continued aggression soon put him in Takahashi’s crosshairs once again.

With just over two minutes left in the second round, “Kaitai” connected with a crushing overhand right.

Seeing “The Big Heart” reeling, Takahashi went for broke. After a couple of uppercuts, the Japanese star connected with a right uppercut that flew in under Yoon’s left arm and followed that with a hammering left hook.

As Yoon crashed to the mat, the referee flew in to halt the bout and give Takahashi a statement victory in the featherweight division.

#3 Kwon Wins Battle Of Finishers

South Korean star “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il looked better than ever during his first-round stoppage of two-time BJJ No-Gi World Champion Bruno “Puccibull” Pucci in their bantamweight mixed martial arts affair.

As expected, there was no wasted time in this battle of finishers. Pucci immediately darted out from his corner looking for a takedown, but “Pretty Boy” was ready with impeccable defense.

After shaking Pucci off of his body, the South Korean made the Brazilian pay with a damaging left hook to the body. As “Puccibull” stood upright against the Circle Wall, Kwon stepped in with back-to-back straight right lasers.

Pucci tried to put his guard up, but a blistering right uppercut from “Pretty Boy” split through it like a hot knife through butter. The Brazilian collapsed to the canvas, and Kwon walked away with a brilliant first-round finish.