Top 5 Performances From ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON's Kickboxing Heroes

Fans of the striking arts are in for a treat at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON as ONE Super Series takes center stage in Singapore.

One of the greatest lineups of kickboxers ever assembled will take a starring role in “The Lion City” as all four quarter-finals of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix take place, and an all-Dutch battle for the inaugural ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title features in the co-main event.

To whet your appetite ahead of a feast of striking showdowns in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, check out five fantastic displays from some of the stars set for action on Friday, 17 May.

Holzken’s Show Of Aggression

Dutch superstar Nieky “The Natural” Holzken is one of the kickboxing world’s elite athletes, and he demonstrated his greatness in his main discipline of kickboxing when he faced Mustapha “Dynamite” Haida at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS in February.

“The Natural” dominated the contest, using his effortless footwork to ensure he was always able to evade Haida’s most threatening punches, and move into a position to strike back with heavy kicks and punching combinations.

The Italian showcased admirable toughness as he absorbed a constant barrage of strikes from the multiple-time kickboxing World Champion, but the match-up proved to be one-sided, as Holzken bossed the contest from bell to bell and claimed a unanimous decision victory after a virtuoso display.

Eersel’s Hard-Earned Victory

Regian “The Immortal” Eersel’s victory over Brad “Quake” Riddell was notable not only for the spectacular, back-and-forth nature of the contest, but also for the fact that it was the very first bout in ONE Super Series history.

At ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, the Netherlands’ Eersel found himself on the receiving end of Riddell’s early charge, but “The Immortal” soon settled into his groove. He started flying into exchanges with his rival and unleashing his knees until he dropped the Kiwi midway through the second round with a thumping blow to the body.

That knockdown, coupled with an excellent counter-striking display in the third round, helped Eersel to a hugely-entertaining victory by decision as he wrote his name into the ONE Championship history books as the first athlete to register a win in ONE Super Series.

Eersel will face Holzken for the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title in Singapore.

Petrosyan’s Pure Precision  

Italian kickboxing legend Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan’s prescription was for three rounds of kickboxing brilliance when he last appeared inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium last November.

The two-time K-1 World MAX Champion proved his striking greatness against Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Sorgraw Petchyindee Acadamy, who was simply no match for the Italian’s slickness of movement and crispness of strikes in a 71-kilogram catch weight contest.

Petrosyan’s all-around dominance meant the judges had an easy night as they awarded “The Doctor” the unanimous decision victory, which brought his tally of wins up to 98 in his professional kickboxing career.

Petrosyan will begin his campaign in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix against Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy on 17 May.

Yodsanklai’s All-Action Debut

Muay Thai legend and multiple-time World Champion “The Hero” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex announced himself on the global stage for martial arts with a typically action-packed performance when he defeated Chris “The African Warrior” Ngimbi on his ONE Super Series debut.

At ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS, the Thai icon eased into his work as he peppered Ngimbi with strikes, and upped the intensity throughout the contest as he caught his rival with hard punches and his trademark kicks to the body and the arms.

Ngimbi’s durability and willingness to fire back with strikes made the bout an entertaining one for the fans that lasted all three rounds, but the Thai superstar was never in danger of relinquishing his lead, and he earned a clear unanimous decision victory.

Sana’s Commanding Conquest

French Muay Thai star Samy “AK47” Sana claimed a notable scalp in November when he took a unanimous decision victory from Armen Petrosyan in their 73-kilogram catch weight kickboxing bout last November.

Despite competing under kickboxing rules rather than his preferred Muay Thai regulations, Sana was dominant as he dropped his man with a pair of huge right hands in the first round.

The Frenchman went from strength to strength as he countered excellently throughout the second and third round as his pinpoint striking and outstanding ring generalship helped secure his first win in ONE Super Series.

Fans can expect a fascinating battle when “AK47” opens fire against Yodsanklai in of the World Grand Prix quarter-finals at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON.