ONE Championship returns with a stacked lineup of combat sports action this weekend, when the promotion brings ONE Fight Night 13 to the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The star-studded spectacle will be headlined by ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Chingiz Allazov’s first world title defence against old rival Marat Grigorian, but the rest of the card will be just as exciting.
Four sports will be showcased throughout the evening, including three big MMA bouts that carry real significance in their respective divisions.
Marcus Almeida vs. Oumar Kane
The heavyweight MMA division could find itself with a standout contender to Anatoly Malykhin’s World Title when Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane are finished slugging it out at ONE Fight Night 13.
Both battlers are enjoying fine form, with Almeida looking untouchable throughout his four promotional outings and “Reug Reug” coming off the back of two wins in a row. But one of them has to fall when this much-anticipated matchup goes down.
Fans should look out for “Buchecha’s” legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he has implemented to devastating effect so far in his ONE tenure, and they should also expect Kane’s unique Senegalese wrestling pedigree and heavy hands to cause problems, meaning this one will be an all-around firefight that could go anywhere.
John Lineker vs. Kim Jae Woong
After enjoying a short stint at the top of ONE’s bantamweight division, Brazilian powerhouse John Lineker returns this Saturday in the hopes of launching another charge at the World Title against fearsome competitor Kim Jae Woong.
“Hands of Stone” has become famous for his aggressive approach to competition, and there is little doubt that he’ll showcase that trademark style as he sets out to show the world why he should still be feared.
Kim will do everything in his power to spoil his comeback, however, while he attempts to make a name for himself at bantamweight.
The South Korean slugger took out former divisional king Kevin Belingon in his first fight in the stacked division but slipped to a disappointing loss to Shoko Sato in his last fight, so he’ll be looking to return to winning ways against Lineker.
Fans would be wise not to blink when the opening bell sounds in this one, as both men are well-equipped to finish proceedings early.
Jhanlo Sangiao vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu
Jhanlo Sangiao has been touted as Team Lakay’s next big thing for some time, and he has certainly lived up to the hype so far.
The 21-year-old star boasts a 6-0 professional record overall, with three of those wins coming in ONE. But after cruising through Paul Lumihi, Anacleto Lauron, and Matias Farinelli, the Filipino prospect has his toughest assignment this weekend.
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has been causing problems for up-and-comers in ONE’s Friday Fights series, and he’ll take his talents to the promotion’s main roster against Sangiao this Saturday.
Baatarkhuu has scored two wins from as many appearances, with his latest win seeing him stop another Filipino talent in Rockie Bactol at ONE Friday Fights 17.
If the Mongolian star can dispatch Sangiao with his unorthodox fighting style, he’ll surely send a message to his bantamweight colleagues. But that will be much easier said than done against the fiery upstart with the weight of his legendary gym’s hopes on his shoulders.
