Who Could Be Next For The Winners Of ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS?

Some of ONE Championship’s biggest stars delivered in action and memorable finishes at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, 7 December.

At ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS, the ONE Super Series divisions were shaken up by fresh talent, and while some strikers have only just started their journey in the world’s largest martial arts organization, other contenders forged a path closer to the gold.

In the mixed martial arts ranks, a few more athletes moved closer to a chance at the top prize in their respective weight classes, but at the expense of the warriors they defeated.

With another historic event in the books, here are some of the bouts that could be in the future of the night’s biggest victors.

Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex

“The Hero” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex returned to ONE Super Series Muay Thai action against Australia-based Brazilian Luis Regis in the night’s main event.

Picking up the fastest finish in the featherweight division to date, the man from Pattaya, Thailand needed just 2:08 to dispatch Regis with a volley of powerful uppercuts.

He now has two wins from two ONE appearances, which is exactly the same as Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan, and that is a match-up that has the whole martial arts world salivating.

Both are cerebral technicians who have been at the top of their game for years, picking up title after title around the globe.

With the potential for ONE Super Series gold to be on the line, this would be a perfect time to put the finest strikers on the planet together in a bout for the ages.

Yodsanklai would likely have to return to the kickboxing rule set, but he is comfortable under any rules. Whatever measures have to be taken, fans will hope both men will meet in arguably the most sought-after stand-up battle of all time.

Jihin Radzuan

Jihin “Shadow Cat’ Radzuan added another great name to her resume when she defeated Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang by unanimous decision.

The Malaysian showed her skill in the stand-up and ground battles, and dominated Huang to keep her undefeated record intact.

In April, Gina “Conviction” Iniong earned her third win in The Home Of Martial Arts by defeating Huang via decision, and the experienced Team Lakay warrior could be the next step for “Shadow Cat.”

The Filipina is physically strong with a powerful right hand, and well-rounded enough to ask questions of the rising Malaysian superstar in every area.

Jihin has been able to control all of her opponents with her stifling top game and ground and pound. “Conviction” may be able to force a stand-up battle with the improving wrestling from her Baguio City team, and see how “Shadow Cat” fares when she cannot dictate where the bout takes place so easily.

Vitaly Bigdash

Vitaly Bigdash returned from the first two defeats of his career to pick up a huge submission victory over Yuki “Yu-King” Niimura.

His wrestling and ground acumen helped him to dominate the Pancrase Middleweight World Champion to enter the winner’s circle once again.

Since losing the ONE Middleweight World Title to Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang last year, the Russian’s main aim has been to meet his old rival again for a rubber match, but it will take more wins.

Ken Hasegawa would offer up the perfect match-up, as he went five rounds with the champion in his last outing, and has the kind of style that would make for another stunning battle.

Both men are supremely durable and are unlikely to take a backward step. They are also both capable of finishing bouts on their feet or on the ground.

Breaking down a seemingly immovable object like Hasegawa could earn him the right to challenge for the gold again.

Yosuke Saruta

It was a stunning debut for Yosuke “Tobizaru” Saruta, who defeated former ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva in his first promotional assignment.

The three-round contest in Kuala Lumpur showed that he can mix it up with the division’s elite, so in a sophomore clash, he will have to face another title contender.

Rene “The Challenger” Catalan is on a five-bout win streak — the longest in the strawweight division — and is on the cusp of a World Title shot. The wushu stylist has shown vast improvements in his wrestling, and defeated top grapplers in Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian and Peng Xue Wen in his last two bouts.

The winner of a battle between these two would have their eyes on the recently announced ONE Strawweight World Title match between Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and Hayato Suzuki, and could be the next contender in a division that has seen plenty of change at the top in the last 18 months.