Top 3 Mixed Martial Arts Fights Of 2020’s 3rd Quarter

ONE Championship has featured several incredible mixed martial arts bouts since resuming its flagship event schedule in July.

Fans have been treated to captivating back-and-forth matches, incredible submissions, and jaw-dropping knockouts. Meanwhile, a few of those contests have stood out from the rest.

Let’s take a trip back and relive the three best mixed martial arts fights of 2020’s third quarter.

#3 ‘Y2K’ Shuts Down Shink

Yodkaikaew “Y2K” Fairtex burst onto the global stage at ONE: NO SURRENDER II with a second-round knockout of previously unbeaten warrior John Shink on 14 August.

Shink got the bout to the canvas in the first round, but Yodkaikaew’s evolving grappling game allowed him to quickly recover and return to his feet each time.

The Thai also put his striking to good use. In fact, right before the first round ended, he connected with a right hook followed by a knee up the center.

In the second frame, “Y2K” quickly found his range and sought to end the contest with power punches.

The Fairtex Gym representative first stunned Shink with a left hook to the jaw and followed him to the ropes to finish the job. A straight left from the Thai then connected with Shink’s temple, which dropped him to the canvas and ended the contest at the 1:11 mark of round two.

Yodkaikaew’s victory was an emphatic showcase of his top-notch striking prowess, and it marked the beginning of his ONE highlight-reel.

• Top 3 Submission Victories Of 2020’s 3rd Quarter
• Top 5 ONE Super Series Knockouts Of 2020’s 3rd Quarter
• Top 3 Mixed Martial Arts Knockouts Of 2020’s 3rd Quarter

#2 Zamboanga Earns Dramatic Debut Win

At ONE: A NEW BREED on 28 August, Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga put the flyweight division on notice by submitting Detchadin “Detchpool” Sornsirisuphathin via rear-naked choke in the second round of their matchup.

The first round was mostly contested on the feet, as both athletes scored with strikes. However, “Detchpool” landed the most significant ones with a powerful jab-cross combination that caught the attention of Zamboanga.

“T-Rex” got his boxing going early in the second round, which made Sornsirisuphathin look for a takedown. However, the Filipino’s defense was strong, and he began to exert his physical dominance.

In the final minute of round two, Zamboanga brought “Detchpool” to the canvas, and in the waning seconds, he was able to sink his arm under the chin to secure the rear-naked choke. Sornsirisuphathin attempted to battle through it, but he quickly fell asleep.

The submission victory would be matched by Zamboanga’s sister, Denice, later in the same evening, giving the family a perfect night in the Thai capital.

#1 Wiratchai Outduels Pinca

On 21 August at ONE: NO SURRENDER III, Thai mixed martial arts pioneer Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai and multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Fabio Pinca left everything they had inside the ring throughout a 15-minute featherweight donnybrook.

The mixed martial arts matchup was so tightly contested that it caused the judges to split their result.

Pinca’s forward pressure and leg kicks kept the Thai star circling on the outside, but the Frenchman slipped late in the opening frame while attempting a head kick, which allowed Wiratchai to land ground-and-pound before the bell.

The significant ground strikes gave the Bangkok Fight Lab and Tiger Muay Thai representative momentum going into the second round.

Midway through the second, “OneShin” scored with a spinning backfist that put Pinca on the canvas. It was the most impactful moment of the bout and made a strong statement that Wiratchai can strike with the best in the world.

The Frenchman’s pressure returned in the third frame, as he knew he had to atone for the previous slip and damage he had received. His continued leg kicks paid off, forcing the Thai athlete to attempt a takedown in order to avoid more punishment.

However, the late surge from Pinca proved to be too little, too late.

In what was supposed to be a triumphant mixed martial arts debut for the multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion, Wiratchai turned him away and narrowly got back in the win column.

Read more: Top 5 ONE Super Series Bouts Of 2020’s 3rd Quarter