Top 5 Highlights From ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE

ONE Championship put on an entertaining show for the global fanbase with its first-ever closed-door event on Friday, 28 February.

The world’s largest martial arts organization held ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and the 11-bout card produced several unforgettable moments.

A pair of elite athletes struck ONE Super Series World Championship gold, two new World Title challengers emerged, and several talented competitors delivered exquisite highlight-reel finishes.

Before we move ahead to the next blockbuster spectacle, let’s take a look back at the top five highlights from an action-filled night in “The Lion City.”

#1 Todd Upsets Stamp In The Main Event

Janet “JT” Todd said she would enter her rematch against two-sport queen Stamp Fairtex with more confidence and win the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, and she made good on that promise.

The American got off to a strong start. Todd utilized her speed, her boxing, and her low kicks in the opening two frames, and she even landed a high kick on the defending titleholder’s jaw.

Stamp was about to hit her stride, however. The Fairtex representative stung the challenger with kicks to the lead leg, and also found success with her powerful right hand in the following two rounds.

Although the Thai superstar came out ultra aggressive with the same strategy in the fifth and final stanza, “JT” picked up the pace with her boxing and kicks to close out the main event.

It was extremely close, but Todd did just enough to take the split-decision victory and claim World Title gold.

#2 Sam-A Puts On A Masterclass

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao made history yet again. The living legend was near-perfect throughout five rounds, as he defeated Australian phenom Rocky Ogden to claim the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.

While Ogden started the opening two rounds aggressively and kept pushing forward, it was difficult to penetrate through the Thai icon’s stellar defense. Sam-A protected himself well, and he brilliantly attacked his young foe with inside leg kicks, body kicks, and his straight left hand.

The Aussie fared better at the beginning of the third frame and even swept the Thai from the clinch. But in the second half of the round, the icon beautifully mixed up his attack, and he finished the period with a beautiful left elbow, knee, and a second left elbow from close range.

Sam-A turned up the heat in the championship rounds, as he took the center of the Circle, aggressively attacked his rival with his versatile arsenal, and connected with multiple clean shots to the head. He also swept Ogden to the canvas a handful of times, too.

It was a masterful performance from the living legend, who won the bout via unanimous decision. Now, he is both the reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion.

#3 Eto Submits Khan In 99 Seconds

Kimihiro Eto put on a remarkable performance in his 99-second victory over local hero Amir Khan.

The Japanese grappler lunged for a takedown moments into the lightweight encounter, but his former sparring partner defended well, clinched with him, and put him up against the Circle Wall.

Eto quickly reversed the position, tripped the Singaporean to the canvas, and then expertly advanced to full mount in search of the finish.

As Khan defended and tried to escape, he gave up his back, which was the opening the Tokyo resident needed.

He instantly secured his hooks, slid his arm underneath the Evolve representative’s chin to lock-up the rear-naked choke, and squeezed until the referee stopped the contest and awarded him the win.

#4 Akiyama’s Perfect Right Hook

In just three minutes, Yoshihiro “Sexy Yama” Akiyama proved why he is one of the most exciting athletes in the world.

Sherif “The Shark” Mohamed was aggressive from the very beginning of the welterweight clash and clipped “Sexy Yama” early with a barrage of punches. The Japanese-South Korean legend briefly hit the canvas, but he quickly returned to his feet and regained his composure.

Though the Egyptian kept pressuring him with punches, Akiyama proved to be effective with his counter-striking. He started connecting with his right hand and hurt his rival with heavy leg kicks.

Ultimately, it was a perfectly-timed strike from the 44-year-old icon that closed the show.

As Mohamed came forward wildly, “Sexy Yama” backpedaled and then dropped his opponent with a clean right hook. A final right hand on the canvas put an end to the frantic contest.

#5 Teo Snags A Third-Round Stoppage

Tiffany “No Chill” Teo overcame adversity to put away surging Japanese grappler Ayaka Miura in the third round via TKO and secure a shot at the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

The Team Highlight Reel representative battled through a deep arm-triangle choke, and multiple scarf hold Americana attempts, in the first round.

But then, she came on strong in the final two frames. She stuffed Miura’s takedown attempts, and battered her with punches to the head and kicks to the lead leg, which slowed down her rival immensely.

All of that led to an extraordinary finish in the waning moments of the third and final round.

When the Tokyo resident went for a last-ditch takedown, Teo easily defended. As Miura clung on to the single-leg, the Singaporean leaned over the Japanese rising star and unloaded heavy punches and elbows to the body. That forced the referee to wave off the action with only 15 seconds remaining in the bout.