Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu Stuns Shannon Wiratchai In Thailand
Thailand’s own Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai squared off against Amarsanaa “Spear” Tsogookhuu in a lightweight mixed martial arts bout in front of his countrymen on Saturday, 16 February, but he could not deliver the win his hometown fans desperately sought.
In his promotional debut, the Mongolian outpointed the local hero inside Bangkok’s Impact Arena to claim a unanimous decision victory at ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS.
It was a closely-contested affair, but it was evident in the opening round that Tsogookhuu had done his homework on his rival from Tiger Muay Thai.
The Mongolian Top Team representative would not overcommit knowing Wiratchai’s penchant for counter-striking, and he instead probed with a jab and inside low kick. “OneShin” found a couple of opportunities to land his favored right hook, but not with any regularity.
In a change of pace in the second round, “Spear” capitalized on the 30-year-old’s jab by charging forward for a takedown.
The pair were swiftly separated when it looked like Tsogookhuu was using his head to attack his opponent’s chest, and the battle for dominance continued on the feet.
Tsogookhuu landed the most significant strike of the stanza with a right high kick, and then he began to edge away with another takedown into side control.
With “Spear” reluctant to pressure Wiratchai with strikes, the Thai martial arts pioneer seemed low on ideas to start the final round.
Nonetheless, he stuck to his strength in an effort to pull off the win.
“OneShin” tried to kick the legs and body of his foe, and he even connected with his lead hook. But Tsogookhuu remained busier behind his jab and landed a carbon copy of his second-round head kick.
Wiratchai’s struggle to find his rhythm was epitomized by a late slip from a kick attempt, which allowed “Spear” to take top position and ride out the rest of the round until the final bell.
In the end, Tsogookhuu’s wrestling and ground control caught the eyes of the judges, and he was rendered the victor by unanimous decision.
The Mongolian moved his record to 6-1 and picked up a big win over a marquee name in ONE’s lightweight division.
