When it involves unfinished enterprise, John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade have a lot. This heated rivalry got here to a head in October final yr when the pair met for the primary time – and bragging rights inside the bantamweight division. A no-contest following a stiff groin shot from Andrade solely threw gasoline on their fireplace, and now we get to run issues again once more. With the bantamweight world title on the road, count on fireworks on this one.
A Muay Thai masterclass
When Tawanchai PK.Saenchai steps into the circle with Jamal Yusupov we are going to get to see two of the world’s finest in motion. Featherweight Muay Thai champ Tawanchai will put his title on the road in opposition to the quantity two ranked fighter, a person raised within the powerful surrounds of Dagestan however now representing Turkey. Yusupov has received all three of his ONE outings, whereas Tawanchai rides a three-fight win streak – with two spectacular KOs within the course of.
Kelly goals for the celebs
When it involves fighters anticipated to make a speedy rise in 2023, place Danielle Kelly in that class. The American is elite with regards to BJJ, and her catchweight submission grappling bout in opposition to Akaya Miura is simply the take a look at she must kick the yr off. She was ultra-impressive in submitting Sambo world champ Mariia Molchanova final day out – bagging a $50k bonus within the course of. Kelly needs to get her fingers on a world title this yr, and that is the subsequent rung on the ladder.
Legend appears to get again on observe
Martin Nguyen’s legacy is already secured. The first ever two-division world champion in ONE is an all-time nice – however can be trying to get his identify again within the win column. He might have misplaced three of his final 4, however continues to be ranked fourth within the featherweight division, and at 33-years-old, time shouldn’t be catching up on him simply but. Next up for him is Shamil Gasanov. The Russian is ranked only one place beneath Nguyen, and trying to construct on his ONE debut win final October.
A challenger needs a title shot
Number one ranked bantamweight kickboxer Saemapetch Fairtex kicks off his 2023 marketing campaign this month. 2022 actually had its ups and down for him, a loss in opposition to rival Tawanchai being essentially the most notable of the downs, however victory final day out bought him reestablished within the win column. A win over Zhang Chenglong is probably not thought of a press release win (Zhang has misplaced his final 5 bouts), however will add one other layer of confidence as he goes looking for gold in 2023.
ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker v Andrade takes place Saturday February 25 4am GST on the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok. This is an evening to not be missed so mark your calendars, obtain the ONE Super App, and go to observe.onefc.com now!
