Top 6 Highlights From ONE: FOR HONOR

The world-class athletes at ONE: FOR HONOR delivered a spectacular show on Friday, 3 May. 

Thousands of fans at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia, and millions watching around the world, saw the very best of martial arts from 28 determined competitors.

There were knockouts, submissions and back-and-forth battles that went all the way to the judges’ scorecards throughout the night, capped off by the greatest ONE Super Series World Title bout to date.

These are the top six standout moments from the show.

#1 Haggerty Takes The World Title In Five-Round Epic

Muay Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao put his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against surging British superstar Jonathan “The General” Haggerty in the night’s main event, and the battle that ensued was breathtaking.

The exciting strikers threw everything they had at each other over five rounds. It was courage alone that got both men to the final bell as they endured punches, kicks, knees, and elbows throughout a brilliant display of “the art of eight limbs.”

Haggerty showed that his lack of experience compared to his rival was less important than the talent and desire he has in abundance, and his powerful punches sent Sam-A to the canvas in rounds three and five to give him an unassailable lead on the scorecards.

The Thai looked like he might take out the Londoner on the final straight after he did major damage with knees and punches to the body in a dominant fourth round. But “The General” survived and came back with a vengeance to be crowned the ONE World Champion.

This bout is sure to live long in the memory.

#2 Abbasov Stops Okami For Career-Defining Win

Kiamrian Abbasov scored the biggest victory of his career when he dropped and finished Yushin “Thunder” Okami in the second round of their welterweight contest.

The renowned Japanese star entered The Home Of Martial Arts with gold in his sights, but the man from Kyrgyzstan was not going to be a stepping stone. He survived a tough opening frame in which Okami dominated on the ground, and came out swinging in round two.

Abbasov blocked “Thunder’s” jab and fired back with a looping right hand, which landed on his rival’s chin. The 37-year-old hit the deck and the Novorosfight representative gave him no room to breathe.

He pounded away with punches until referee Olivier Coste intervened to halt the action, and now Abbasov is at the front of the queue in the ONE Welterweight World Title picture.

#3 Yodpanomrung’s “Lightning Knee” Lands On The Button

Yodpanomrung “The Lightning Knee” Jitmuangnon struck in the perfect spot to collect a third-round knockout victory over Australia’s Tyler Hardcastle.

Hardcastle was competitive throughout and, in particular, showed a well-polished boxing game. But the six-time Muay Thai World Champion showed his moniker was not earned for nothing.

“The Lightning Knee” picked up the pace as the bout wore on, and in the final minute of the final round, he launched a right knee at his rival’s body that found its mark and folded him onto the canvas.

Hardcastle could not even attempt to make the count, and Yodpanomrung got on the winning track in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

#4 “Thathie’s” Flawless Display In Front Of Her Family

Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol competed in front of her father for the first time inside the Istora Senayan, and there is no doubt he will have been proud of her impressive victory over tough Cambodian Nou Srey Pov.

The Kun Khmer World Champion looked extremely dangerous in the striking exchanges, but “Thathie” was clinical in her approach and used her grappling skill to negate that threat and dominate on the mat.

Srey Pov never gave in, and constantly worked to better her position. However, Lumban Gaol’s overwhelming top game was too much to handle.

The Kun Khmer World Champion never stopped trying to escape, and set up a grandstand finish as both athletes threw caution to the wind and swung heavy leather on the feet. Ultimately, “Thathie’s” dominance led her to a clear victory by decision.

#5 A Knockout Debut For Le

Thanh Le made an emphatic entrance into the ONE ranks with a stunning knockout victory over Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev.

The debuting LFA Featherweight Champion was thoroughly dominated in the first round as his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt rival took him down and offered no escape on the mat.

However, Le’s defense held out enough to give him another shot in the second round, and it did not take long for him to make the most of it.

The Vietnamese-American aimed a right high kick at his opponent’s head, which prompted a takedown attempt from the Russian. He threw another strike as “Maestro” came in, and his knee collided with Saadulaev’s skull and knocked him out after just 12 seconds of round two.

#6 Kim Waits And Then Explodes For Big Finish

“Ottogi” Dae Hwan Kim is one of the most seasoned campaigners in the ONE bantamweight division, and he showed his experience against promotional first-timer Ayideng “The Kazakh Eagle” Jumayi.

The South Korean kept his cool and waited for the best opportunity to attack when Jumayi tried to move inside to land powerful punches. After four minutes, he found his moment.

When both athletes planted their feet and battled toe-to-toe, Kim sensed he had better accuracy and power, and he proved it when his right hand landed on the temple.

“The Kazakh Eagle” stumbled backward, and “Ottogi” pressed forward with a barrage of punches to end the match in style.