This Friday, January 12, ONE Championship will return to the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium for its first U.S. primetime event of 2024.
Loaded with world-class talent from all corners of the globe, ONE Fight Night 18: Gasanov vs. Oh on Prime Video promises to deliver dramatic moments and action-packed contests from beginning to end.
With that in mind, here are the five biggest reasons why fans should watch the captivating nine-bout card live on Friday night.
#1 MMA Takes Center Stage
After the world’s largest martial arts organization spent much of 2023 focusing on Muay Thai, triggering an explosion of interest in the sport globally, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has announced plans to put MMA back in the spotlight.
Advertisement
That plan begins with ONE Fight Night 18: Gasanov vs. Oh on Prime Video, which features five intriguing MMA battles. Those fights include a mix of established superstars, promising newcomers, and surging contenders on the verge of a shot at the gold.
In short, fans can look forward to much more MMA in 2024, and this event is just the first taste of it!
#2 Elite Featherweights Throw Down In Pivotal Main Event
The headline attraction will see #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov collide with South Korean star “Spider” Oh Ho Taek in a clash between two of the division’s most skilled warriors.
Advertisement
Each man knows a victory on Friday night is critical to improving the winner’s position in the crowded ONE Featherweight MMA World Championship picture.
With #1-ranked Garry Tonon set to battle #3-ranked Martin Nguyen at ONE 165 later this month, and a World Title unification bout between reigning titleholder Tang Kai and interim king Thanh Le slated for ONE 166 in March, there are plenty of moving parts at the top of the weight class.
That’s why Gasanov and Oh – both considered to be championship-caliber stars, but each of them coming off a defeat – are sure to fight tooth and nail to secure their spot in the top five, as well as keep their World Title hopes alive.
#3 Suablack Aims To Go 2-0 Against Dublin Combat Academy
The bantamweight Muay Thai co-main event between Suablack Tor Pran49 and promotional newcomer Stefan Korodi is dripping with drama.
Korodi steps into his promotional debut with something to prove and a bit of pride on the line. That’s because at the organization’s most recent show, ONE Friday Fights 46 last December, Suablack knocked out his Dublin Combat Academy teammate, Craig Coakley.
On Friday night, the Irishman looks to put a stop to the Thai’s four-bout winning streak, avenge his teammate’s loss, and prove his gym can compete alongside the planet’s most formidable strikers.
Advertisement
As for Suablack, he wants to make a strong impression in his first U.S. primetime appearance. Also, this match is his opportunity to take out two of Ireland’s top fighters in a span of three weeks and continue to assert himself as a key player in the talent-laden bantamweight Muay Thai division.
#4 A Spotlight On The Bantamweight MMA Division
The event will serve as a showcase for the always-entertaining bantamweight MMA division, which features a trio of high-stakes contests.
First, veteran superstar Mark “Tyson” Abelardo will square off against undefeated Russian sensation Ibragim Dauev in a clash between the old guard and the new wave of talent rising on the global stage.
Advertisement
Next, #4-ranked bantamweight MMA contender Artem Belakh hopes to keep his World Title aspirations alive when he battles gritty Mongolian scrapper Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu – a winner of three straight in ONE and someone who has his sights set on the top-five rankings.
Finally, South Korean knockout artist “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il could secure a rematch with reigning divisional kingpin Fabricio Andrade if he can get past flashy striking specialist Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg in a matchup that promises white-knuckle action for as long as it lasts.
#5 Critical Lightweight Muay Thai Bouts
Two-sport king Regian Eersel will surely keep an eye on ONE Fight Night 18: Gasanov vs. Oh on Prime Video, as the card includes a pair of crucial matches that could determine the next challenger for his lightweight Muay Thai strap.
Advertisement
British fan favorite “Lethal” Liam Nolan makes his much-anticipated return against Russian scrapper Ali Aliev. This marks the 26-year-old Londoner’s first bout since his win over Eddie Abasolo in November 2022, so he’d love to remind fans of his immense talent and put himself in line for a crack at Eersel’s gold.
Also, fresh off a successful promotional debut last October, Shakir Al-Tekreeti will meet local hero Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong with revenge on his mind.
The Thai veteran defeated the Iraqi standout’s brother, Mustafa Al-Tekreeti, last February, kick-starting his impressive 3-1 run in the world’s largest martial arts organization. Rungrawee will now look to make it 2-0 against the talented Al-Tekreeti brothers and continue his climb toward gold in this drama-steeped contest.
