Top 5 Highlights From ONE: WARRIOR’S CODE

ONE Championship returned to Jakarta, Indonesia for a historic evening on Friday, 7 February.

The world’s largest martial arts organization thrilled the masses with ONE: WARRIOR’S CODE, an 11-bout spectacle that featured the crowning of a new World Champion.

There were sensational knockouts, jaw-dropping submissions, and breathless back-and-forth contests that had the local crowd inside the Istora Senayan clamoring for more.

Before we look ahead, let’s reflect on five of the best highlights from an exhilarating night in the Indonesian capital.

#1 Petchmorakot Makes History

In the main event of the night, Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy put on a striking masterclass to become the first-ever ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion.

From the outset, the 25-year-old used his long limbs to establish his range and keep his Thai compatriot, Pongsiri PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym, at bay. The distance made his rival’s offense easy to read, and the Petchyindee Academy representative evaded nearly every attack.

Petchmorakot effectively utilized his jab and teeps very early, and once he found his rhythm, the southpaw peppered his opponent with crosses, step-in knees, and roundhouse kicks to the head and body.

The Ubon Ratchathani native smiled his way through each round as he controlled the action. Pongsiri tried his best to get into range and strike from the inside, but Petchmorakot’s complete mastery led him to a clear-cut unanimous decision and the inaugural crown.

#2 Lapicus’ 67 Seconds Of Perfection

Undefeated lightweight contender Iuri Lapicus was supposed to meet his toughest challenge to date. Instead, in just 67 seconds, he breezed through former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov en route to his 14th consecutive finish.

The Team Petrosyan-trained martial artist pressured the Dagestani with hard punches and leg kicks, which forced him to attempt a takedown in order to break the attack. The Moldovan athlete subsequently used his judo expertise to hip toss Gafurov to the canvas.

During the ensuing transition, Lapicus spun to his rival’s back with impressive speed and then slid his arm under the chin to secure the rear-naked choke. With a vice grip on, there was no escape, and Gafurov had no choice but to submit.

#3 Saputra Shines In Submission Win

Multiple-time Indonesian national wrestling champion Eko Roni Saputra enlivened the local crowd with a commanding first-round submission victory on Friday night.

The home favorite quickly dragged Khon Sichan to the ground and missed two early submission attempts. However, his top control allowed him to rain down ground and pound.

When the Cambodian flyweight turned away from the strikes, Saputra took his back with ease. Then he brilliantly sunk his arm under Sichan’s chin to lock up the rear-naked choke and used a powerful squeeze to force the tap.

#4 Hirata Remains Flawless

Itsuki “Strong Heart Fighter” Hirata went into the third round for the first time in her mixed martial arts career. Despite that, she still stopped Nyrene “Neutron Bomb” Crowley to keep her undefeated record intact.

After two dominant rounds, the Japanese star continued to attack the Kiwi with her smothering grappling in the final stanza and took her exhausted foe to the mat early.

Hirata quickly moved to full mount, where she blasted the Bali MMA product with ground strikes and then advanced to the scarfhold position to unload even more punishment. When Crowley tried to scramble free, “Strong Heart Fighter” locked in her hooks and went for a rear-naked choke.

“Neutron Bomb” tried to fend off the submission attempt, but when the Tokyo-based atomweight switched gears and flattened her out, she pounded away until the referee stopped the catch weight bout for good.

#5 Tonna’s Crushing Knee

As Josh “Timebomb” Tonna’s nickname suggested, it was only a matter of time before he went off and landed the match-ending blow.

In the final minute of the second round, he connected with a right hook, which moved Andy “Punisher” Howson to the Australian strawweight’s left side. Then, Tonna used his right hand to control the neck and his left hand to force the Brit’s head down into his oncoming knee.

The force of the connection sent Howson face-first into the canvas. Although the ever-tough “Punisher” answered the referee’s count, he was in no shape to continue and the bout was waved off.

Read more: What Could Be Next For The Big Winners Of ONE: WARRIOR’S CODE?