ONE Friday Fights 117 shined the spotlight on another cast of international stars fighting for a US$100,000 contract and a spot on ONE Championship’s main roster.
Although ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong didn’t award any of this week’s warriors the life-changing deal, the spectacle left us with plenty to write home about.
Here, we recap all the explosive action from another eventful night on July 25 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, live in Asia primetime.
Yod-IQ Continues Winning Streak With Three-Round Thriller Against Malatesta
Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri scored his eighth consecutive win after going three rounds with Alessio Malatesta in a main event that left Lumpinee fans hoarse at the throat.
From the onset, Yod-IQ attacked Malatesta with all his weapons. Punches, kicks, elbows, and even flying knees ricocheted off the Italian’s face and body.
Behind two swollen eyes, Malatesta took a deep breath and came out for round two throwing fight-ending punches at Yod-IQ. The Thai absorbed some and evaded others. All the while Malatesta kept pressing, kept punching.
By round three, the fight was dead-even and both men knew they’d have to steal the round to seal the victory. So back and forth they went, Yod-IQ kicking and Malatesta punching. Malatesta punching and Yod-IQ kicking.
The violent volley of attacks came to a close and the tension rose as all awaited the scorecards. In the end, all three judges gave the nod to Yod-IQ, who improved to 125-36-15.
Harrison Demolishes Irving In First Round After Year-Plus Layoff
After thirteen months away from ONE Friday Fights, Tyson Harrison returned to the weekly series with a vengeance. The Australian tore through Kendu Irving in their bantamweight Muay Thai banger, stopping the American by TKO at 2:12 of the first round.
Just a minute into their featured bout, the 24-year-old sent Irving flying backward and down with a stiff jab for the first eight-count.
Irving answered the referee’s call and swung wildly, but Harrison came over the top with a right cross timed so accurately that clockmakers in Greenwich could’ve calibrated their watches by it — and Irving hit the canvas again.
The downed man peeled himself off the ring apron for a second time and stood, propped up by nothing but heart. Harrison, eyes locked on his target, chased Irving down and unloaded punches and elbows, forcing the referee to step in and call off the action.
With that, the Sangtiennoi Muay Thai Gym athlete celebrated his 26th career victory as he returned with crushing force to the platform that made him an international star.
ONE Friday Fights 117 Quick Results
- Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri defeats Alessio Malatesta via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
- Elbrus Osmanov defeats Kampeetewada Sitthikul via KO at 2:10 of round one (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
- Maemmot Sor Salacheep defeats Rittidet Sor Sommai via KO at 0:21 of round three (Muay Thai – flyweight)
- Lamnamkhong BS Muaythai defeats Superjeng Tded99 via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – 143 lbs)
- Teeyai PK Saenchai defeats Yodsila Chor Haapayak via KO at 0:19 of round three (Muay Thai – 119 lbs)
- Tangtang Suansunandhagym defeats Pinpet Mor RajabhatKorat via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – atomweight)
- Tyson Harrison defeats Kendu Irving via TKO at 2:12 of round one (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
- Martin Parra defeats Antonio Piana via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – atomweight)
- Uzair Ismoiljonov defeats Takahashi Kiyoto via TKO at 1:24 of round one (kickboxing – bantamweight)
- Ryota Nakano defeats Arthur Klopp via split decision (kickboxing – bantamweight)
- Alexandre Khan defeats Fujun Cao via submission at 1:17 of round two (MMA – featherweight)
