Nabil’s incredible height for the weight class, giving him nine inches over Superlek, may make him the tallest fighter to ever weigh in at 135-lbs, at least in Muay Thai. At only 19 years old he would look to shock the world and take out one of the best fighters of the modern era, who also happens to be the current ONE flyweight kickboxing champ. Due to TV scheduling issues in Thailand the fight was moved to the last fight of the night, as a postlim after the main event, but still took place on ONE’s YouTube for most of the world.

Superlek immediately targeted Nabil’s long legs when the fight started. Nabil countered with kicks to the body when he was able to evade the leg kicks. Superlek tried to go forward and push the longer fighter back, where his reach would be a hindrance as the ropes would restrict his movement more. He had some success early and then seemed to do significant damage to Nabil’s legs just under two minutes into the bout. As Nabil retreated, Superlek landed an right straight to the body and his foe crumpled to the mat. Nabil then rolled over on his face and struggled to get up, but was not near gaining his feet as the ref waved the fight off at the count of eight.

Superlek once again demolished an outmatched opponent as he had Danial Williams before him. The elite of elite Thai lived up to his nickname of ‘The Kicking Machine’ by his excellent and intelligent use of leg kicks to take out the base of the tall, skill fighter. He was asked what’s next for him, as this fight was in Muay Thai but he also owns the kickboxing belt in the weight class in ONE. He answered that he wants to gain a Muay Thai belt in ONE Championship, specifically the one held by Jonathan Haggerty at bantamweight currently after the Brit won it off of the legendary Nong-O earlier in 2023.

To finish the night, Superlek got a $50,000 bonus from the promotion, different than the usual 350,000 Baht (about $10,000USD) bonuses usually given out on Friday Fights cards at Lumpinee.

The post ONE Friday Fights 22: Superlek Kiatmoo9 Makes Short Work of Towering Nabil Anane appeared first on Cageside Press.

Two years off is a virtual eternity in fight years, and Bhullar ran the risk of ring rust and the busier schedule of Malykhin getting the better of him.

Perhaps with that in mind, the Russian heavyweight, holding interim gold in the weight class as well as ONE’s light heavyweight title, came out hot to start the five-round affair, coming midway through the ONE Friday Fights 22 card in Bangkok, Thailand. Malykhin started out firing an overhand right and trying to corner Bhullar. When the pair came together in a clinch, Bhullar landed a knee, but Malykhin was out of danger before a takedown could even be attempted.

Moments later, Malykhin again backed Bhullar into a corner, firing a combination that saw at least some strikes land. The right hand in particular was a guided missile for Malykhin, though Bhullar wore it well. The champion caught a kick, but couldn’t dump Malykhin, who kept the pressure on Bhullar throughout the round.

Later in the frame, Malykhin would find success with an outside leg kick and body shot; Bhullar frustratingly struggled to get any offense whatsoever going, even when Malykhin planted his feet and waved him in.

Malykhin again came out hot in round two, firing his overhand right, ripping the body, and backing the champ up. Bhullar’s chin continued to hold up, but again in the second, he struggled to implement his wrestling. Malykhin quickly escaped each and every clinch situation, working at distance and putting Bhullar’s back against the ropes. The body shots in particular were starting to add up, with Bhullar in obvious discomfort as they landed.

In the final minute of round two, Bhullar finally answered back, targeting the body himself. Striking not being his bread and butter — far from it — it was a faint sign of life, not a turning point.

Far from it, in fact. Early in the third, Malykhin punctuated a combination with a high kick, then trapped Bhullar in the corner, unloading. Lefts, rights, and uppercuts landed, as Bhullar struggled to block punches and answer back. Bhullar clinched up, but when they went down, it was Malykhin in control. Bhullar then slipped through the ropes, leading to ref to restart him off his back. An exhausted Bhullar struggled to his knees, only to slip through the ropes again. That earned a yellow card from the ref, who then started Bhullar on the ground once again. From there, Malykhin took control, raining down punches as an out-gunned Bhullar could do nothing but cover up.

The TKO finish was almost merciful, and Anatoly Malykhin was undisputed heavyweight champion.

Malykhin suggested he might pursue a third title following the fight — and was awarded a $50,000 post-fight bonus.

Official Result: Anatoly Malykhin (ic) def. Arjan Bhullar (c) by TKO (punches), Round 3, 2:42  — for the ONE heavyweight championship / title unification bout

The post Anatoly Malykhin Overwhelms Arjan Bhullar to Unify Heavyweight Title at ONE Friday Fights 22 appeared first on Cageside Press.

After over two years on the sidelines, multiple fights falling through, and protracted negotiations, ONE heavyweight champ Arjan Bhullar finally made his return, paired up with interim champ (not to mention light heavyweight champion) Anatoly Malykhin.

Curiously enough and likely due to the card taking place at the famed Thai boxing stadium, Bhullar vs. Malykhin was not set as the main, or even co-main event of the evening. Instead, the long awaited title fight was placed fourth from the finish, with three Muay Thai match-ups taking precedence, including the main event.

That fight had Prajanchai PK Saenchai and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao meeting for the second time, with an interim strawweight championship on the line.

Full results from Friday’s ONE Friday Fights 22, which gets underway at 8:30AM ET, can be found below. Where available, a live stream of all the action can also be view.

ONE Friday Fights 22: Prajanchai vs. Sam-A 2 Live Stream and Results

Post-liminary card

Superlek Kiatmoo9 def. Nabil Anane by knockout, Round 1, 2:03— Muay Thai

Main card

Prajanchai PK Saenchai def. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao by knockout, Round 2, 2:10 — for the vacant ONE interim strawwweight Muay Thai championship
Seksan Or Kwanmuang def. Nathan Bendon by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Nico Carrillo def. Muangthai PK Saenchai by TKO, Round 2, 1:23 — Muay Thai
Anatoly Malykhin (ic) def. Arjan Bhullar (c) by TKO (punches), Round 3, 2:42  — for the ONE heavyweight championship / title unification bout
Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong def. Eddie Abasolo by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Fariyar Aminipour def. Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon by split decision — Muay Thai
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai  def. Gingsanglek Tor Laksong by knockout, Round 2, 0:28 — Muay Thai
Akram Hamidi def. Jomhod Auto MuayThai by TKO, Round 2, 0:36 — Muay Thai
Thongpoon PK Saenchai def. Yangdam Sor Tor Hiewbangsaen by split decision — Muay Thai
Shamil Erdogan def. Fan Rong by knockout, Round 2, 0:37

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