ONE: ‘Call to Greatness’ preview (Pt. 2)

Last week’s ONE Championship card did not exactly set the pulse racing so fans will be hoping for more action on Friday. As normal there will be kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA bouts with two quarterfinals in the lightweight Grand Prix.

ONE: “Call to Greatness” is set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium and all eyes will be on the lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals. Ev Ting faces Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev while Amir Khan goes up against Ariel Sexton with a semifinal spot on the line.

125 lbs.: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke vs. Jeremy Miado

The KO that Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (9-4) suffered at the hands of Jeremy Miado (8-3) was surely the most shocking in ONE Championship history. The former Lumpinee champion was probably overconfident, but it was a very damaging defeat.

Dejdamrong recently turned 40, but his striking remains elite and his grappling is underrated. Miado’s greatest strength is his grappling but he has a background in amateur boxing, however the Thai is unlikely to underestimate his opponent’s striking a second time.

170 lbs.: Nieky Holzken vs. Mustapha Haida (Kickboxing)

Nieky Holzken arrived in the ONE Super Series with a big reputation from the world of K-1 and boxing. His debut more than lived up to expectations with a vicious uppercut putting Cosmo Alexandre’s lights out.

Mustapha Haida is coming off an impressive KO of his own in the ONE Super Series. The Italian holds a decision win over Andy Souwer but will be an underdog against the former Glory champion.

170 lbs.: Ev Ting vs. Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)

Ev Ting (16-5) is well rounded and is particularly dangerous with head kicks. The New Zealander is very experienced but isn’t known for his wrestling which could be a factor in this fight.

Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (6-1) comes from a sambo background and has some explosive takedowns. He should be undefeated, his only loss was a DQ, and he brings real aggression and always fights to finish.

170 lbs.: Amir Khan vs. Ariel Sexton (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)

Ariel Sexton (12-4) has a BJJ black belt but also possesses a devastating right uppercut. It makes him a very unpredictable opponent who can finish fights from just about any position.

He takes on Amir Khan (11-4) who comes from a Muay Thai background but takes a very strategic approach to fights. The Singaporean tends to go the distance and is 13 years younger than Sexton.

Muay Thai: Stamp Fairtex vs. Janet Todd (Inaugural Atomweight Muay Thai Title)

Stamp Fairtex recently won the women’s atomweight kickboxing title in her first ONE Championship fight and will challenge for the atomweight Muay Thai title in her second.

Her background is in Muay Thai, not kickboxing so she should be more in her element here. The Thai is odds on to make history by becoming the first person to win ONE Championship titles in two disciplines.

Janet Todd also comes from a Muay Thai background. She has placed on the podium at some amateur tournaments but faces a big step up against a seasoned professional with around 100 fights.

The entire ONE: “Call to Greatness” card will be available to view live and free in some territories using the newly launched app which you can download here. In the US it will be streamed on B/R Live.

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