ONE Championship’s athletes might just have saved the best for last after an action-packed ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video delivered seven knockouts from its eight Muay Thai battles on December 9.
In the main event at the mecca of Muay Thai, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Roman Kryklia dispatched Alex Roberts in the second round to become the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Roberts came to fight, but the Australian suffered a knockdown during the early goings. He battled away after the setback to wobble Kryklia with an elbow shortly before the bell.
TWO-SPORT WORLD CHAMPION 👑👑 Kickboxing king Roman Kryklia KOs Alex Roberts to win the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title!#ONEFightNight17
🇺🇸🇨🇦 Watch the full ONE Fight Night 17 event replay 👉 https://t.co/duKj2fOmoS pic.twitter.com/AujpzeTdMQ— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 9, 2023
The second round was over before it began, however, as Kryklia’s hand speed saw him land a lightning-quick left hook to send Roberts crashing to the canvas after just 25 seconds. No count was administered as the towering Ukrainian added the inaugural Muay Thai strap to his ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title. He was also awarded a $50,000 performance bonus for his efforts.
The co-headliner was undoubtedly a late contender for “Muay Thai Fight of the Year” honors as featherweight Muay Thai contender “Smokin” Jo Nattawut returned to the win column with a hard-fought unanimous decision over American newcomer Luke Lessei.
Nattawut’s power punches proved to be the difference as he overcame the ultra-tough Lessei over three chaotic rounds. Other bonus winners on the night were Jacob Smith and Dmitry Menshikov.
ONE Fight Night 17: Full results
● ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title: Roman Kryklia defeated Alex Roberts via knockout (left hook) R2, 0:25
● Featherweight Muay Thai: Jo Nattawut defeated Luke Lessei via unanimous decision
● Catchweight (151.75lb) Muay Thai: Mohamed Younes Rabah defeated Saemapetch Fairtex via knockout (punches) R1, 2:29
● Lightweight Muay Thai: Dmitry Menshikov defeated Mouhcine Chafi via knockout (left hook) R1, 1:59
Your winners from an INCREDIBLE night of Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video! 🔥#ONEFightNight17
🇺🇸🇨🇦 Watch the full ONE Fight Night 17 event replay 👉 https://t.co/duKj2fOmoS pic.twitter.com/j0Occ0ZTe4— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 9, 2023
● Flyweight Muay Thai: Jacob Smith defeated Walter Goncalves via knockout (knee to the body) R1, 2:54
● Catchweight (141lb) Muay Thai: Johan Ghazali defeated Edgar Tabares via knockout (body punch) R1, 0:36
● Catchweight (139.75lb) Muay Thai: Denis Puric defeated Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat via knockout (left hook) R2, 1:35
● Catchweight (132.25lb) Muay Thai: Ellis Badr Barboza defeated Thongpoon PK Saenchai via knockout (body punch) R3, 2:21
What are your thoughts on the exciting fight card? Let us know in the comments below.