Roman Kryklia Bags ONE’s 2022 Kickboxing KO Of The Year With Insane Finish Of Iraj Azizpour
Roman Kryklia’s rubber match with Iraj Azizpour was expected to produce a knockout for the ages.
True enough, fans got what they hoped for when the two colossal warriors clashed in the ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Final at ONE 163: Akimoto vs. Petchtanong.
Unfortunately for the Iranian powerhouse in Azizpour, it was the towering Ukrainian who left the Circle with a highly fashionable finish, the tournament’s prestigious silver belt, and a US$50,000 performance bonus on Saturday, November 19.
As of today, that destructive finish has been named ONE’s 2022 Kickboxing Knockout of the Year.
In typical fashion, both men strutted into the middle of the Circle ready to throw down. And in the opening three minutes, Azizpour’s ruthlessness left Kryklia in search of answers.
The stocky Iranian found his range with his kicks and unloaded on the 31-year-old from left, right, and center. Big hooks, uppercuts, and a flurry of punches ensured that Kryklia never left first gear.
Then, with 30 seconds remaining, Azizpour finally got the knockdown he was searching for with a massive overhand right.
Kryklia hopped up, only to be on the receiving end of more attacks, including a spinning hook kick, as the clock ticked down.
Clearly trailing in the match, the Gridin Gym representative knew he had to increase his output to stop the confident Iranian tank in the second frame.
It didn’t take Kryklia long to get into a rhythm, and once he hit his stride, a knockout seemed almost inevitable.
Working behind his jab, the Ukrainian calmly advanced into the pocket and switched targets between Azizpour’s body and legs.
The body shots in particular seemed to have emptied much of the Tehran native’s gas tank, forcing him to drop his guard and retreat toward the Circle Wall.
That opening was just what Kryklia needed, and he unloaded wild overhands and a couple of knees to the Iranian’s face, which sent him down.
Azizpour barely answered the 10-count, and when the match resumed, Kryklia went berserk with a couple of haymakers, an overhand left, and a straight right that forced referee Elias Dolaptsis to step in at the 1:28 mark of the second round.
The knockout earned Kryklia the ONE 2022 Kickboxing Knockout of the Year and will live on as one of the greatest finishes the striking world has ever seen.
ONE’s 2022 Kickboxing Knockout Of The Year Honorable MentionsKnockout
- Roman Kryklia vs. Murat Aygun
- Giannis Stoforidis vs. Beybulat Isaev
- Zhang Peimian vs. Josh Tonna
- Guto Inocente vs. Rade Opacic
