Top 5 KOs From ONE: MASTERS OF FATE’s Superstar Strikers
ONE: MASTERS OF FATE promises to deliver plenty of hard-hitting action in Manila, Philippines, thanks to the involvement of some of The Home Of Martial Arts’ most dynamic strikers.
World-class wushu stylists, Muay Thai World Champions, and hard-hitting mixed martial artists will showcase their stand-up skills inside the Mall Of Asia Arena, and they all have the potential to score a highlight-reel finish.
Take a look at five of the greatest knockouts from some of the event’s biggest stars to see the kind of explosive offense you can expect on Friday, 8 November.
#1 Pacio’s Huge Head Kick
After losing his ONE Strawweight World Title via split decision to Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta in January, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio took the belt back at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR in the most spectacular way possible.
When Pacio faked a jab in the fourth round, Saruta took the bait and responded by throwing his overhand right, but that propelled him head-first toward the Filipino sensation’s oncoming head kick, and he went down instantly when his challenger’s knee collided with his temple.
The Team Lakay man defends his crown in a top-of-the-bill clash against fellow Filipino, Rene “The Challenger” Catalan.
#2 Folayang Shocks A Legend
Eduard “Landslide” Folayang scored the biggest win of his career and became ONE Lightweight World Champion for the first time when he defeated Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR.
When the Japanese grappler shot in for takedown at the start of round three, the Team Lakay man countered with a perfectly-timed jumping knee that turned the contest on its head.
Aoki tried to keep pushing forward, but he was disorientated, and could not stop his opponent from using underhooks to turn him. Now on the ground, he ate another hard knee to the head, and then a volley of punches that sealed a historic result.
“Landslide” will face rising Mongolian star Amarsanaa “Spear” Tsogookhuu in front of a partisan Philippine crowd.
#3 Li’s Record-Breaking Right Hand
“The Underdog” Li Kai Wen picked up the fastest KO in ONE featherweight history when he dispatched Rodian “The Redeemer” Menchavez at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER.
The Chinese athlete scored straight away with a jab-cross that forced the Filipino backward, and when Menchavez tried to respond with a left hook, he found himself on the end of an awesome overhand right.
The punch looped cleanly onto “The Redeemer’s” chin and separated him from his senses after just 10 seconds.
Li will be back in action in Manila when he drops to bantamweight to take on Indonesia’s Paul “The Great King” Lumihi.
#4 Mitsatit Ends Catalan’s Night With Crunching Knee
Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit brought his Muay Thai expertise to the fore to defeat Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT.
The man from Tiger Muay Thai had some early success with his knees to the body, and he kept firing it until he landed it right on the button three minutes into the opening stanza.
“The Ilonggo” tried to press Mitsatit against the fence, but the Thai worked free while maintaining a strong clinch position. He swung his right knee into the Filipino’s thigh, and then drove his left knee straight into Catalan’s solar plexus, which dropped him onto the floor in a heap.
“The Smiling Assassin” is set to face former ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito next Friday.
#5 Han’s Unstoppable Strike
One of the most memorable knockouts in ONE Super Series history came courtesy of Han Zi Hao’s thunderous right hand against Ryan “The Filipino Assassin” Jakiri at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS.
The finish came after Jakiri tried to counter a body kick from the Chinese athlete with a left hook, but his shot skidded off his rival’s head without much of an impact.
Han’s reply was much more accurate. He dropped his right hand down over “The Filipino Assassin’s” outstretched left arm and caught him on the chin with the full force of his right cross to score an emphatic stoppage.
The former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger will face off against “Left Savage” Kongsak PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym in a thrilling contest on the ONE: MASTERS OF FATE prelims.
Read more: Top 7 Submissions By The Stars Of ONE: MASTERS OF FATE
