‘Here To Take His Crown’ – Lyndon Knowles Vows To End Roman Kryklia’s Reign Of Terror At ONE Fight Night 30

Decorated British striker Lyndon Knowles thinks he’s the man to derail two-sport king Roman Kryklia’s run of dominance in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

On Friday, April 4, in U.S. primetime, the Englishman will challenge the Ukrainian skyscraper for the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of ONE Fight Night 30 on Prime Video, which goes down live at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

While Knowles will be making his promotional debut, he’s certainly no stranger to elite-level competition.

A 20-year veteran of professional Muay Thai and a prestigious three-time WBC Heavywweight Muay Thai World Champion, “Knowlesy” has long been regarded as the UK’s top heavyweight striker.

Now, with his career-defining opportunity against Kryklia rapidly approaching, the 38-year-old told onefc.com that he’s ready to make a massive statement:

“I’m turning up in new territory, and what better way to make yourself known than to go after the biggest guy in the yard? All the lights will be on me. All the eyes, too. It’s the main event. I’m here to take his crown.”

Clearly, Knowles is brimming with confidence. That’s because he believes he’s identified certain paths to victory against Kryklia, who also holds the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship.

What’s more, the titleholder is riding a 14-fight winning streak that dates back to 2018.

Despite his foe’s lengthy list of accomplishments and status as a pound-for-pound powerhouse, Knowles plans to push Kryklia to his absolute limit at ONE Fight Night 30:

“I’ve seen some things that I know I can take advantage of. We’re going to see how it unfolds in April.

“There’ll be a reach differential between us. I’m 6-foot, I believe he’s 6-foot-7, so I’ll have some ground to cover. I’m used to that, though. In the land of giants, most guys my weight are taller than me. That still, when you’re shorter, they’re going to have to come down to your level anyway, so he’ll have come down to me at some point. When he does that, I’m going to make it as uncomfortable as possible for him.”

According to Knowles, a victory over Kryklia would mark the most important moment of his career and the beginning of his reign atop ONE Championship’s heavyweight Muay Thai division.

However it plays out, he’s predicting a finish – and a new World Champion crowned in Thailand:

“It would be the icing on the cake [to win the belt]. I’d love to defend it many times like I did the WBC Muay Thai World Title. I’ve been at this now for 20 years. So to win the biggest prize in our industry at this point, it doesn’t get any sweeter.

“My prediction is Dom Lau will say, ‘And the new!’ There’s no way this is going the distance with two big, brawling baddies like myself and Roman hitting each other in the face. I don’t go the distance. He doesn’t either. So, someone will fall.”

Knowles Thrilled To Fight At Lumpinee Stadium

Although ONE Fight Night 30 will be the first time Lyndon Knowles has competed under ONE’s bright lights, it won’t be the first time the global fan base has seen him.

As a coach and longtime competitor at the world-renowned Knowlesy Academy in London, England, his trademark pink hair and long mustache are often seen in the corner of the UK’s top strikers, including reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty.

Knowles said that his time in the coach’s corner has only fueled his desire to throw down:

“I can’t wait for it. It’s a different experience when you’re in the back, cornering the best fighters in the world. It’s tense. Because you’re on the outside, you can sometimes be too nervous, as you can only control so much.

“But getting to be the one inside those ropes now, instead of trailing with the bucket, it’s going to be special for me. I’ve played the long game to get here.”

Notably, Knowles’ World Title clash against Roman Kryklia will take place at the same venue where he cornered Haggerty to an unforgettable World Championship win over Thai legend Nong-O Hama.

The Brit hasn’t forgotten the thrill of that victory at Lumpinee Stadium and can’t wait to create his own history in that same iconic ring:

“Of course, I’m excited to return to that stadium. I cherish it. I hold a lot of memories there. And the chance to hold the ONE World Title is massive to me. It’s all I want to do.”