5 Key Takeaways From ONE Friday Fights 114

ONE Friday Fights 114 gave martial arts fans around the globe plenty of white-knuckle action and high-stakes fights last Friday, June 27.

The 11-bout card went down in front of a packed house at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and featured a mixture of rising stars and established fan favorites, all looking to make their marks under the bright lights.

Now that the dust has settled on this unforgettable event, we dive into five key takeaways from ONE Friday Fights 114.

Suablack Is Back On Track With Much-Needed Win

Thai sensation Suablack Tor Pran49 came into his main event 140-pound kickboxing clash against Sangarthit Looksaikongdin with his back against the wall.

After rattling off six straight wins to begin his ONE tenure, the 28-year-old’s meteoric rise was stalled with a three-fight losing skid. In this matchup, Suablack was facing a talented, young brawler hungry to make a name for himself.

But over the course of three action-packed rounds, the NP Suablack representative proved that he’s nobody’s stepping stone, scoring a pair of knockdowns in the third frame to seal the unanimous decision win.

Now back to his winning ways, Suablack has reminded fans what makes him so special – and is back on the hunt for 26 pounds of gold.

Muangthai Is Hitting His Stride After Finally Beating Seksan

“Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai had lost to Seksan “The Man Who Yields To No One” Or Kwanmuang four previous times outside of ONE, but he wouldn’t be denied this time, earning a decision win over his longtime rival in one of the most electrifying Muay Thai fights of the year.

Both Muangthai and Seksan traded blows at a furious pace, with neither man willing to concede an inch. Ultimately, it was “Elbow Zombie” who found a home for the bigger, cleaner shots, all while displaying his trademark grit, toughness, and never-say-die attitude.

It was the third straight victory for the 31-year-old veteran. After 14 thrilling appearances in ONE, Muangthai seems to have truly found his footing and looks poised to take on even tougher challenges.

Anane, Abdelali, And PTT Arrive In Style

A trio of debuting fighters made lasting impressions on fans, each appearing to be must-watch attractions moving forward.

First, 17-year-old prodigy Yonis Anane impressed with a hard-fought decision victory over China’s Liu Junchao.

As the younger brother to reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane and a WBC Muay Thai World Champion, expectations were high for the teenager. His performance against Liu erased any doubts that he belongs at the highest level.

In featherweight Muay Thai action, decorated Thai star PTT Apichart Farm and French standout Elies Abdelali threw down in a frantic firefight that brought the Bangkok crowd to a roar.

While Abdelali ultimately scored the split decision win, marking a massive upset and the most significant victory of his career, PTT’s forward-marching, fearless style undoubtedly garnered him legions of new fans.

Looking ahead, each man’s second appearance in ONE – no matter who it’s against – promises to be another instant classic.

Contract Winners Ondash And Ortikov Look Like Future Superstars

Two athletes earned six-figure contracts and a spot on ONE’s global roster at ONE Friday Fights 114, and each has the makings of a bona fide megastar.

First, 18-year-old Lebanese destroyer Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash halted Chartpayak Saksatoon‘s seven-fight ONE winning streak with a brutal left hook in the second round. The knockout marked the teen’s fourth victory in ONE, his second finish, and a springboard to bigger and better opportunities as a contracted athlete.

Next, undefeated Uzbek phenom Aslamjon Ortikov picked up his eighth ONE win when he put Petsukumvit Boi Bangna down for the count with a savage body kick.

The 22-year-old has looked nothing short of spectacular thus far in his career, and his ultra-aggressive yet technically sound brand of striking will serve him well on the global stage. Considering his absurd dominance at ONE Friday Fights, the sky is the limit for the hard-hitting 22-year-old.

Nadaka’s Star Power Is Only Growing

Japan’s Nadaka Yoshinari is already a 10-time Muay Thai World Champion and his country’s best-ever Muay Thai competitor.

On Friday, he made his sophomore appearance in ONE and elevated his star power to even greater heights with a dazzling decision win over Banluelok Sitwatcharachai, handing the Thai knockout artist his first defeat in ONE.

Simply put, Nadaka is undeniably one of the planet’s top pound-for-pound strikers. Now riding an absurd 38-fight winning streak, the 24-year-old is just as entertaining as he is dominant inside the ring, and he has set himself up for a blockbuster fight this November in Tokyo at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.

Nadaka’s trophy case is already packed with prestigious titles, but he’s still missing ONE Championship gold. Considering his impressive performances thus far, the Japanese sensation is making his case to compete for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.

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