Top 5 Highlights From ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH

ONE Championship’s first-ever event in Ho Chi Minh City set the standard for future visits to Vietnam with a dozen ONE Super Series bouts jam-packed with striking action.

ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH was a huge success, and the groundbreaking event on Friday, 6 September ignited a passionate martial arts community in “The Land Of The Blue Dragon” with memorable knockouts, back-and-forth thrillers, and excitement from top to bottom.

Here are the five biggest highlights from the event inside the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium.

#1 Nong-O Fends Off Tough Challenge In World Title Defense

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao put his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title on the line for the second time in the evening’s main event, and he encountered a tough challenge from Brice “The Truck” Delval.

The Algerian entered as the underdog, but he proved that he was worthy of the shot with a spirited performance that pushed the Thai legend all the way to the scorecards.

Delval’s range frustrated the reigning World Champion at times, but ultimately Nong-O’s class shone through. The Evolve representative showcased the flawless technique he has honed over more than 300 contests in “the art of eight limbs.”

The punishment he delivered to “The Truck’s” body with his fierce right kick was a thing of beauty, and he also shook his jaw with powerful short-range punches en route to a split decision victory.

#2 Duy Nhat Proves He Is Vietnam’s “No.1”

Ho Chi Minh City’s own “No.1” Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat dominated Azwan Che Wil for three rounds before he landed a spectacular KO that raised the roof off the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium.

Duy Nhat uncorked a thunderous head kick in the second round that decked the Malaysian, but somehow, he found a way back up to his feet. Azwan was on the run from the hometown hero’s power for the rest of the round, but he hung on.

However, “No.1” continued to search for the finish in the final frame, and the end was in sight when he landed another high kick. The Ho Chi Minh City Muay Team representative then drilled his foe with a massive right hand that separated him from his senses and made the crowd erupt in ecstasy. 

#3 Silva Scores Another First-Round KO

The light heavyweight kickboxing contest between Anderson “Braddock” Silva and Beybulat Isaev always had the potential to end in a big knockout, and it came in the very first round courtesy of the Brazilian’s fists.

Isaev looked sharp in the early running, but Silva’s powerful punches soon found their mark. He sent his Russian foe reeling with a big right hand, and then continued his relentless assault.

A knee and a series of clubbing right hands had Isaev on wobbly legs, then a final uppercut was enough to bring the bout to a stunning end.

#4 World Champions From Europe Go To War

Santino Verbeek and Juan Cervantes’ epic kickboxing bout had fans on the edge of their seats during the prelims, as the athletes went back and forth for three breathless rounds.

Dutch dynamo Verbeek struck first when a crunching overhand right sent Cervantes down in the opening frame. The tough Muay Thai stylist from England found his feet, but the two-time World Fighting League World Champion maintained his pressure with hard punches and low kicks.

The man from Sokudo Gym man kept up his offensive in the second, but Cervantes’ will to win came to the fore in the final round as the WTKA Muay Thai World Champion from Northern Kings gym rallied in a late attempt to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

He launched into action with a flying knee that rocked Verbeek, and plowed forward in search of a finish, but the fatigued Dutchman somehow found the courage to hang on and get the judges’ decision.

#5 “Momotaro” Sets A New ONE Super Series Record

Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera picked up the fastest win in ONE Super Series history when he knocked out Singtongnoi Por Telakun after just 41 seconds of their flyweight Muay Thai encounter.

The legendary Muay Thai World Champion was surprised by “Momotaro’s” diverse striking attack. A spinning back fist landed first, and then the Japanese man unleashed a relentless salvo of punches, elbows, and knees until Singtongnoi crumbled.

The record-setting win was a career-best for Kodera, and put him among the top contenders in a bustling flyweight division.