Roman Kryklia Thrilled To Return With Dominant World Title Knockout Against Lyndon Knowles
The main event of ONE Fight Night 30 on Prime Video saw two-sport, two-division king Roman Kryklia turn in perhaps the most terrifying performance of his perfect 7-0 run in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
On April 4 in U.S. primetime, the Ukrainian superstar needed just over two minutes to knock out decorated British striker Lyndon Knowles and successfully defend the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title.
After his dominant win at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, Kryklia spoke to onefc.com about the fight, which marked the first defense of his Muay Thai gold.
The 33-year-old hadn’t competed in more than a year. He said that returning to action — while securing an impressive victory – felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders:
“After a successful fight, everything ends in a good way. I’m happy. I’m free, and I can now relax a little bit because it was a very hard period for me [mentally], the period before the fight. Now I’m free. I’m happy.”
As the longtime ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion and the 2022 ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion, Kryklia has competed just two times in ONE Muay Thai.
His show-stopping victory over a respected veteran and a multiple-time WBC Muay Thai World Champion in Knowles erased any doubts that he’s just as dangerous in the “art of eight limbs.”
Kryklia did big damage early and often with his trademark boxing attack, but it was his soul-stealing body blows that seemed to hurt “Knowlesy” the most – ultimately leading to the highlight-reel stoppage.
Afterward, the titleholder said that attacking his opponent’s body was a key focus of his game plan:
“This was my coach’s advice. My coach [Andrey] Gridin makes the strategy and plans for my fights, and every time it works, you know? And this was one of the combinations that was working for me, which we practiced in training sessions.”
For Kryklia, the World Title win over Knowles further cemented him among the planet’s best pound-for-pound strikers.
He said it was another important moment in his quest to become an undeniable all-time great:
“This victory means just one more step [forward] and one more possibility to get some attention from the audience and fans of martial arts. This one is one more step to become [one of the most successful fighters ever].”
Kryklia Eager For Quick Return To Action
Roman Kryklia hardly broke a sweat in his one-round decimation of Lyndon Knowles, so it’s no small surprise that he’s ready to get back in the ring whenever he’s needed.
Whether that’s another defense of his heavyweight Muay Thai crown or his light heavyweight kickboxing belt, he’s happy to take on all comers:
“I’m ready to be back in the ring in one week. I’m fresh. I have no injury, and I’m ready. I know I’m in good shape, so I’m waiting for the invitation for light heavyweight or heavyweight, in kickboxing and Muay Thai.”
Kryklia has now finished each of his last five opponents in less than two rounds.
While many of the striking world’s biggest superstars like Nabil Anane, Jonathan Haggerty, Superlek Kiatmoo9, and Takeru Segawa compete in the lighter weight classes, Kryklia is using his crowd-pleasing style and ruthless finishing instincts to draw attention to the sport’s big men.
He added:
“Stay tuned and put your attention on heavyweight. I think there will be big things happening soon.
“Give me some chances to show my skills because in my last fights, they did not last for more than one, two rounds. Give me some good opponents, and you will see really beautiful skills in Muay Thai and kickboxing.”
