ONE: Warriors Of Light Recap & Highlights: Nong-O Retains Title
ONE: Warriors Of Light took place today in Bangkok, Thailand. The 12-bout card contained plenty of action with half of the bouts ending in a stoppage.
In the main event, Thailand’s Nong-O Gaiyanghadao successfully defended his Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title with a unanimous decision victory over Japan Hiroaki Suzuki. After a cagey opening round, Nong-O took control of the contest in the second. From then on he never looked in any real danger.
Suzuki was unable to establish his attacking rhythm due to the Thai’s drumbeat of body shots to Suzuki’s left side. Nong-O found his target early in the bout and throughout the duration of the contest kept returning to the same spot over and over again.
To his credit, Suzuki never stopped looking for an opening but despite his best efforts, the 34-year-old was unable to unlock the Thai’s defense. It was a comprehensive victory for Nong-O, and it will be interesting to see who ONE pairs him with next.
Petchdam Claims Flyweight Kickboxing Title
In the co-main event, Thailand’s Petchdam Petchyindee Academy defeated French-Algerian Elias Mahmoudi via unanimous decision. In doing so he become the inaugural ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion.
The contest was halted at the start of the fifth due to a low blow from the Thai rendering Mahmoudi unfit to continue. It was a disappointing end to what up until that moment had been an exciting and free-wheeling matchup.
Both men had come to fight but it was Mahmoudi who landed the first heavy shot seconds after the fight started. Unfortunately, it was an elbow, illegal under kickboxing rules. The referee gave Mahmoudi a yellow card for the illegal strike.
However, undeterred the 21-year-old set the pace in the opening round, throwing his shots in combinations and earning the Thai’s respect. Petchdam came into the fight having knocked out his last three opponents. Right from the start of the second, the 20-year-old seemed keen to add Mahmoudi to that list.
Mahmoudi was not giving away any ground despite Petchdam’s best efforts. The pair continued to trade powerful shots as the round ticked by.
Going into the fifth it felt like the fight was evenly poised. To have the bout end due to an accidental low blow was frustrating for both fans and fighters. Hopefully, these two square off again in the future as it does feel like there is unfinished business here.
Todd Earns TKO Victory
California’s Janet Todd earned her first ONE Championship victory when she defeated Chinese Taipei’s Wang Chin Long via TKO. The bout was fought under kickboxing rules.
Todd dominated the fight right from the start. The 33-year-old set the tempo of the contest, always moving forward and landing the cleaner and heavier shots. After going the distance with a fighter as ferocious as Stamp Fairtex Ching Long, seemed to offer nothing that the American needed to be concerned with.
It was a professional and complete performance from Todd and confirmed her status as one of the best female stand-up fighters in the Super Series.
ONE: Warriors Of Light Full Results:
Main Card:
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao defeated Hiroaki Suzuki via unanimous decision
Petchdam Petchyindee Academy defeated Elias Mahmoudi via technical decision
Shoko Sato defeated Mark Fairtex Abelardo via second-round TKO
Rodtang Jitmuangnon defeated Sok Thy via seond-round knockout
Pongsiri Mitsatit defeated Robin Catalan via first-round knockout
Zhang Chenglong defeats Panicos Yusuf via unanimous decision
Kazuki Tokudome defeated Adrian Pang via second-round TKO
Preliminary Card:
Savvas Michael defeated Singtongnoi Por Telakun via unanimous decision
Superlek Kiatmoo9 defeated Rui Botelho via unanimous decision
Pieter Buist defeated Kota Shimoishi via second-round knockout
Janet Todd defeats Wang Chin Long via second-round TKO
Hexigetu defeats Ovais Shah via unanimous decision
