The main event of Inside the Matrix on Friday was an opportunity for Myanmar’s Aung La N Sang to continue building his legacy in ONE Championship. Arguably the promotion’s biggest homegrown star outside Angela Lee, “The Burmese Python” held ONE’s middleweight and light heavyweight titles. His fights had become known as vastly entertaining wars, his heart second to none in ONE history.
Friday, he was paired up with the undefeated Reinier de Ridder.
Aung La fired off an uppercut early, and connected with a low kick. Both brought immediate reactions from the limited number of spectators in attendance. de Ridder opted to shoot for a takedown. After a quick scramble, he took the back and got both hooks in. N Sang fought the wrists, but being dry and on the ground early with an opponent on your back is not where any fighter wants to be. de Ridder peppered the champ with some punches, looking to create an opening to sink in a choke. He had, frankly, a ton of time. The champ powered up, de Ridder still on his back. But he couldn’t shake the challenger. And when they crashed back down, de Ridder was still on the back, and able to get the arm under the chin. Aung La tried to tough it out, but was soon forced to tap.
Reinier De Ridder 🇳🇱 puts the SQUEEZE on "The Burmese Python," choking out Aung La N Sang in Round 1 to claim the ONE Middleweight World Title! #InsideTheMatrix #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship
How to watch ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX 👉 https://t.co/xoYhoMn3qk pic.twitter.com/QM6CEbKUls
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) October 30, 2020
With that, Reinier de Ridder is the new ONE Championship middleweight champ! A shocker, with the “Burmese Python” having been on the best run of his career.
Official Result: Reinier de Ridder def. Aung La N Sang by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:26
