Hot on the back of ONE Fight Night 4, we immediately jump into ONE 163 in a thrilling weekend of combat sports.
Here’s what you should be looking out for.
A spectacular trilogy will be settled this weekend when Iran’s Iraj Azizpour and Roman Kryklia go head to head with the score currently at one win each. The pair will now face off in the heavyweight kickboxing World Grand Prix final to try and settle the rivalry once and for all. Kryklia is the reigning ONE heavyweight kickboxing world champion, and neither man has lost since their defeat to the other – this is going to be a clash for the ages.
Staying with the kickboxers, ONE 163 is headlined by a standout clash for the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title between current champ Hiroki Akimoto and Petchtanong Petchfergus. Thailand’s Petchtanong is 37-years-old and has had more than 400 fights across a storied career and is now looking for the final cherry on the cake. Standing in his way is Japan’s Akimoto, the 30-year-old is on a five-fight win streak, and will be looking to make his first successful defence of the title he won in March.
What a fight Yushin Okami v Aung La N Sang is. Japan’s Okami has made a name for himself around the world – taking on some of the very best in the business and fighting for world titles everywhere he has been. After a tough start to his ONE career, kicking off with two defeats before winning last time out, he now finds himself moving up to 205lbs – a weight he has been comfortable at in the past. His opponent, Aung La N Sang is a superstar in his native Myanmar – and beyond. A former ONE middleweight and light-heavyweight world champion, this is a clash not to be missed.
This intriguing clash of styles could uncover the next challenger to Angela Lee’s atomweight world title. Hirata is 2-1 in ONE but even as just 23-years-old could find herself propelled into the title picture with a win over 35-year-old Ham Seo Hee. Hee is 25-8 overall and is riding an excellent eight-fight win streak with her aggressive brand of striking honed from her kickboxing days. Judoka Hirata will be looking to avoid the standing battle and enforce her dominance on the ground in this pivotal battle.
Born in New Zealand to Filipino parents, there is never a dull moment with Abelardo around. He might not have the recent record he would like having lost three of his last four, but he always puts on a show – and kicking off the main card against Kwon Won Il, who has won three of his last four, we are sure there will be plenty of action to get the fans excited.
ONE 163: Akimoto vs. Petchtanong: takes place Saturday November 19 2pm GST at the Singapore Indoor Stadium Arena, Singapore. This is a night not to be missed so mark your calendars, download the ONE Super App, and go to watch.onefc.com now!
