ICYMI: Everything That Went Down In June 2023 In ONE Championship
The summer is off to a hot start in ONE Championship.
Over the past month, the world’s largest martial arts organization held a quartet of massive World Title fights, crowned a new undisputed heavyweight MMA king, continued hosting electrifying weekly events at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, and announced a plethora of exciting matchups.
To help fans stay up to date, we look back at everything that went down in June 2023.
Regian Eersel, Kade Ruotolo Retain Belts At ONE Fight Night 11
ONE Fight Night 11 took place on June 9 in U.S. primetime and was headlined by a pair of World Title bouts.
In the blockbuster main event, ONE Lightweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel defended his Muay Thai gold against Russian knockout artist Dmitry Menshikov.
“The Immortal” continued his years-long rampage that night, scoring a stunning 46-second knockout to successfully defend his gold, extend his winning streak to 22, and secure his second straight knockout finish.
The evening’s co-main event saw BJJ phenom Kade Ruotolo successfully defend his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title against top European competitor Tommy Langaker – a man many thought to be the American’s toughest test yet.
Ruotolo, though, was up to the challenge, attacking for submissions with his trademark relentlessness to earn a hard-fought decision.
Also of note, former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion and current #1-ranked contender Superbon Singha Mawynn bounced back after losing his gold in January, as he knocked out dangerous #5-ranked contender Tayfun Ozcan.
Anatoly Malykhin Becomes Undisputed Heavyweight King, Prajanchai Takes Interim Gold At ONE Friday Fights 22
In the main event of ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23, interim heavyweight MMA king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin faced reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar in a World Title unification bout that was many months in the making.
The Russian dominated “Singh” with brutal boxing and immense power, eventually scoring an unforgettable third-round stoppage to capture the undisputed ONE Heavyweight World Title, adding to his light heavyweight crown.
With the victory, the two-division MMA World Champion improved his record to a spotless 13-0, extended his 100 percent finishing rate, and further solidified himself as one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
Additionally, Thai fans were treated to a thrilling rematch between Prajanchai PK Saenchai and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao with the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line.
The 28-year-old Prajanchai left no doubt in a sensational performance, knocking out his legendary opponent in the second round to win 26 pounds of gold.
He can now look forward to a World Title unification match with reigning divisional king Joseph Lasiri – a man who dethroned him back in May 2022.
5 Amazing Installments Of ONE Friday Fights
The world-renowned Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, continued to host weekly fight cards in Asia primetime featuring top talent from both Thailand and around the globe.
In addition to the blockbuster ONE Friday Fights 22, the weekly installments showcased a number of the promotion’s biggest stars.
Seksan Or Kwanmuang was one of those stars. The Thai icon took out Nathan Bendon to improve his ONE Friday Fights record to 4-0 and further build his reputation as an all-action fan favorite who refuses to take a step backward.
Similarly, 19-year-old prodigy Yodphupa Wimanair knocked out Antar Kacem at ONE Friday Fights 21, also extending his ONE Friday Fights record to 4-0 and making a statement that he belongs among the best bantamweight Muay Thai fighters in the world.
Exciting Matches Confirmed For ONE Fight Night Events
June was a busy month for ONE, and the organization has no plans of slowing down.
To that end, a number of high-stakes matchups across a variety of combat sports disciplines were announced for upcoming ONE Fight Night on Prime Video events in U.S. primetime.
First, on July 14, ONE Fight Night 12 has a new main event, as reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Superlek Kiatmoo9 will continue his quest for two-sport glory when he meets Russian knockout artist Tagir Khalilov in “the art of eight limbs.”
In the ONE Fight Night 12 co-main event, top-ranked featherweight MMA standouts Garry Tonon and Shamil Gasanov will square off in a pivotal matchup that could decide the division’s next World Title challenger.
Lower on the card, colossal heavyweights Amir Aliakbari and Dustin Joynson will clash in an MMA bout with major World Title implications as well.
Then, on August 4 at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian, reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai will start his own journey toward a second belt and make his highly anticipated ONE kickboxing debut against Georgian slugger Davit Kiria.
Also at ONE Fight Night 13, former bantamweight MMA king John Lineker is back in action against former top-ranked featherweight contender Kim Jae Woong.
Filipino MMA prodigy Jhanlo Mark Sangiao looks to keep his pristine record intact when he meets dangerous Mongolian Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at bantamweight.
Rodrigo Marello – who owns the fastest-ever finish in a ONE submission grappling bout – will welcome three-time IBJJF World Champion Diego “Pato” Oliveira to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Finally, 19-year-old phenom Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak returns to kickboxing for the second time in a row to battle talented Spanish striker Cristina Morales in a contest that promises to deliver action.
There was also big news announced for ONE Fight Night 14 on September 1.
In the barnburner main event, former two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex seeks to become an unprecedented three-sport queen when she clashes with South Korean superstar Ham Seo Hee for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more information about upcoming ONE Fight Night and ONE Friday Fights events.
