Top 6 Performances From The Stars Of ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST
When ONE Championship returns to Shanghai, China for ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST, fans can expect some incredible action from some of the best martial artists on Earth.
The main event promises to deliver fast and furious Muay Thai as two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex puts one of her belts on the line against WBC Muay Thai World Champion Alma Juniku.
The undercard is also stacked from top to bottom with fantastic bouts in “the art of eight limbs,” as well as kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Before the heroes of ONE arrive at the Baoshan Arena, get a taste of what you can expect to see on Saturday, 15 June by watching six of their best performances on the global stage.
#1 Stamp Fairtex‘s Second World Title Triumph
Stamp’s victory against Janet “JT” Todd saw her become the first two-sport World Champion in The Home Of Martial Arts, and she proved her class by earning a unanimous decision against a tough competitor.
At ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS, the Thai superstar went toe-to-toe with her American opponent and showed off sharp boxing skills to claim the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.
Stamp’s all-action performance saw her rapier-like straight counters consistently land on Todd. The 21-year-old’s ability both at range and up close meant she maintained the upper hand throughout their action-packed five-round tussle.
Her all-action display – as well as her ring walk and joyous celebrations – have won her a legion of new fans ahead of her return in Shanghai, where she will bid to make her first successful World Title defense.
Zhang Chenglong‘s Dominant Debut
“Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong is on a quest to add a ONE World Title to his list of honors.
The Top King Muay Thai World Champion showcased his credentials in his first bout on the global stage when he dominated Kun Khmer champion Kong Sambo and won a decision at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS in February.
The Cambodian brought a different style to the ring that the 21-year-old was used to, but he adapted easily to the challenge and found the solution to the puzzle posed by Sambo’s kick-heavy attack.
Though his rival started strong, the Shengli Fight Club representative scored big, and then started to mix up his attacks as he struck with kicks and jumping knees while he maintained constant pressure.
Zhang will return to China to face Tyler Hardcastle on 15 June.
Tarik Khbabez‘s Powerhouse Performance
The battle between fellow SUPERKOMBAT World Champion kickboxers saw Tarik Khbabez and Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica face off in one of the most thrilling kickboxing matchups we have witnessed in ONE Super Series.
Khbabez took a little time to settle into his rhythm early on as Stoica made a strong start to his debut in The Home Of Martial Arts, but “The Tank” soon hit form as he closed the distance and bullied his rival with powerful close-range strikes.
That approach proved doubly successful for Khbabez, as he scored consistently with his punches while smothering Stoica’s best weapons – his long, straight punches and roundhouse kicks.
The Dutch-Moroccan star was made to battle until the final bell because of his opponent’s durability, but there was no doubt that he deserved the unanimous decision he received.
Khbabez is one of the frontrunners to contend for a new World Title in the light heavyweight division, and he may get the chance if he can take out Anderson “Braddock” Silva at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST.
Chen Lei‘s Comeback
Chinese fan favorite “Rock Man” Chen Lei lived up to his moniker as he delivered a come-from-behind victory at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR in Yangon, Myanmar last summer.
The bantamweight grappler went toe-to-toe with Afghanistan’s Ahmed “Lycan” Qais Jasoor and found himself in big trouble early on as he was dropped by a right hand in the opening round.
“Rock Man’s” chin did not crack completely, though, and he showed excellent survival instincts on the ground as he extricated himself from a bad position to make it to the end of the round.
In the second stanza, he used his grappling expertise to take top position and dominate Jasoor. His attack continued in the same vein in the final round until he got the TKO stoppage.
Chan’s next challenge will be to overcome Anthony “The Archangel” Engelen at the Baoshan Arena.
Andrew Miller‘s Muay Thai Showcase
Thailand-based Scot Andrew “Maddog Fairtex” Miller showed his mastery of “the art of eight limbs” against “Jordan Boy” Mohammed Bin Mahmoud at ONE: FOR HONOR earlier this year.
The WKA British Champion dominated the action in every area against his Malaysian rival in Jakarta, Indonesia as he used hard leg kicks, as well as elbows and knees in the clinch to build up damage early and often.
Miller also showed off what he is capable of with his hands when he dropped his opponent in the first and second rounds with his straight right as “Jordan Boy” rushed in.
A dominant third round sealed a landslide victory on the scorecards as the Fairtex-trained Brit proved himself to be a dangerous threat to the world’s best at bantamweight.
He will return to challenge Han Zi Hao when ONE hits China next month.
Angelie Sabanal‘s Debut Upset
Angelie “D Explorer” Sabanal enjoyed a debut to remember as she went into enemy territory in Bangkok, Thailand and defeated hugely popular Thai star Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige.
The women’s atomweight rivals went back and forth over three breathless rounds at ONE: IRON WILL as the Filipina more than matched her Thai opponent for tenacity, technique and overall output and claimed a unanimous decision victory.
Sabanal was first to the punch almost every time, and her grappling was on point to keep her out of danger when Ishige desperately tried to find a late finish.
It gave “D Explorer” the perfect start to her ONE career, and now she will aim to grab a second victory against Japan’s Itsuki “Strong Heart Fighter” Hirata in Shanghai.
