A motivated Jonathan Di Bella is an unstoppable force, and gets revenge on Prajanchai
End of an era for Aung La N Sang, Myanmar’s first-ever MMA World Champion
Mansur Malachiev's flawless MMA debut sent shockwaves through multiple divisions
ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II on Prime Video brought thunder and lightning to Bangkok, Thailand last Friday, October 3 as the world’s greatest martial artists showcased their skills live in U.S. primetime.
Every bout carried weight, every finish exhilarated the crowd, and every ONE Championship superstar left it all inside the ring.
On this extraordinary night of martial arts madness, an undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion was crowned, a beloved legend wrote the final chapter of his epic career, and a plethora of young guns electrified the packed arena.
Following a spectacular showcase of striking, grappling, and MMA at the highest level, here are the five biggest takeaways from ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II.
#1 A Motivated Di Bella Is An Unstoppable Force
Jonathan Di Bella shed the interim tag and can now proudly call himself the undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion.
After absorbing the lone loss of his distinguished career against Prajanchai PK Saenchai in June 2024, the Italian-Canadian faced the Thai star once more with vengeance on his mind. Di Bella was determined to leave no doubt in their rematch.
From the opening bell, Di Bella fired with calculated aggression. His jab snapped Prajanchai’s head back on multiple occasions, while straight left punches and low kicks kept the two-sport king flustered.
When Prajanchai found his rhythm in the championship rounds, landing his trademark counter combinations, Di Bella met him head-on and never wavered. The Italian-Canadian fighter stayed composed and turned up his output when it mattered most.
Di Bella’s relentless pressure sealed his victory and redemption. When the judges rendered their verdict, his coronation as the undisputed king was complete.
Losing his belt last year lit a fire in Di Bella. The setback forced him to evolve, unlocking new potential against legendary Thai warrior Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE 172 in March where he captured interim gold. He then channeled that growth into a dominant performance against Prajanchai.
Defeating the world’s best 125-pound striker serves as proof of his own greatness. With his initial loss to Prajanchai avenged and a US$50,000 bonus earned, Di Bella is back on top of the world.
#2 The End Of An Era For Aung La N Sang
Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang’s final fight was a fitting ending for one of martial arts’ most beloved competitors.
The former ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight MMA World Champion made his final walk to the ONE ring at 40 years old, serenaded by devoted Burmese fans witnessing their hero’s swan song.
Myanmar’s first-ever MMA World Champion delivered one last masterpiece, stopping former welterweight MMA king Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam via second-round TKO in the evening’s co-main event.
After a measured first round, “The Burmese Python’s” killer instinct kicked in. He backed Kadestam against the ropes with blistering combinations before connecting with a devastating right hand that found its mark one last time.
The Kill Cliff FC representative exits the sport as a class act and the standard for Hall of Fame careers. His journey was filled with ups and downs, but it ended on the highest note against a formidable adversary.
Aung La N Sang’s parting gifts made the moment even more special. He earned a well-deserved US$50,000 performance bonus, then received the ultimate honor—an invitation to join fellow legends Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes as the third inductee into the ONE Championship Hall of Fame.
The ceremony will take place at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan, on November 16.
For Myanmar’s greatest martial artist, it was the sendoff Aung La N Sang deserved.
#3 Uzbekistan Has Legit World-Class Talent
The nation of Uzbekistan proved it has fine warriors that belong among the elite, as undefeated stars Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov and Aslamjon Ortikov delivered spectacular performances in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Uzbekistan is quietly building a powerhouse reputation across multiple combat sports disciplines, with these two gentlemen at the forefront.
Zakirov, the #5-ranked strawweight MMA contender, continued his sensational run with a dominant unanimous decision win over knockout artist “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong in flyweight MMA action. The 22-year-old technician neutralized the Chinese headhunter across three rounds, displaying a well-rounded repertoire.
At 16-0, Zakirov may have put himself in the conversation for a shot at the winner of Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu vs. Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at ONE 173.
Meanwhile, the streaking Ortikov just aced his toughest test yet, breaking into the upper echelon of talent with a massive unanimous decision victory over #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai.
The undefeated 22-year-old overcame one of Thailand’s most respected strikers after three hard-fought rounds.
In a close fight, a second-round knockdown secured the sweep on the judges’ scorecards, pushing Ortikov to 23-0 and announcing his arrival among the division’s best.
Young, hungry, and undefeated, both warriors showcased incredible poise and patience in demolishing elite competition. Uzbekistan’s martial arts renaissance is no longer a secret.
#4 Malachiev Could Be A Two-Division Contender
Mansur Malachiev‘s flawless flyweight MMA debut sent shockwaves through multiple divisions. The Russian grappling wizard didn’t just beat Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks — he dominated the former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion on the ground.
Malachiev asserted Dagestani dominance from the opening bell. In round two, he delivered a highlight-reel slam, hoisting Brooks onto his shoulder before driving him into the canvas with devastating force. The rattled American scrambled to regain composure but left his neck exposed, and Malachiev capitalized instantly, transitioning from headlock to north-south choke to put Brooks to sleep.
The submission marked a first since Brooks had never been finished that way. Malachiev improved his record to 14-1.
His lone loss came against undisputed strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio in a closely contested bout that went down to the wire. After the Filipino chases two-division supremacy against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173, a rematch with Malachiev could soon be in order.
Whether at strawweight or flyweight, Malachiev has announced himself as a championship-caliber threat.
#5 Newcomers Make Their Mark On The Global Stage
The debutants proved they belong on the global stage with fearless, high-level performances. Under the brightest lights, these fighters refused to buckle.
Shozo Isojima demolished veteran Nicolas “El Paisa” Vigna in his lightweight MMA debut. The undefeated judoka took the Argentinian down with impunity and finished him with brutal ground-and-pound. The stoppage improved his record to 6-0 and he even earned a US$50,000 bonus for his efforts.
Shortly after, Selina Flores defeated former ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Marie McManamon via unanimous decision. The multiple-time WBC Champion’s technical striking proved perfect for ONE’s high-octane women’s divisions, improving to 9-1 with her fifth straight win.
The future remains bright for ONE’s promising newcomers. With more experience at the highest level, they’ll only sharpen their already impressive arsenals.
