Weekend Roundup

ONE 157

ONE Championship is famous for their varied bouts, varying between MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai, submission grappling, and alternate matches. Friday night’s event was no exception. Held in Singapore, the event featured two Muay Thai World Title fights, a major Muay Thai tournament, and a couple of suspenseful grappling bouts.

The main bout featured Petchmorakot Petchyindee defending his ONE Featherweight Title against the Frenchman Jimmy Vienot. The win went to the champion by decision, which had some people on social media questioning the decision. The biggest upset, however, was Prajanchai PK. Saenchai – tipped by some to be the world’s pound-for-pound greatest Thaiboxer – who lost his title against the ferocious attacks of Italian Joseph Lasiri. The event also saw Rodtang Jitmuangnon, one of the most entertaining Thaiboxers who recently lost against Demetrius Johnson in an alternate ONE bout, facing British fighter Jacob Smith in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix. Rodtang came out with his elbows sharpened and cut the British challenger open early on. The event showed that in Muay Thai an expert such as Rodtang can outclass a challenger who was said by some commentators to have a decent chance of winning, while a huge upset such as Prajanchai losing his title is not an impossibility. 

The event also welcomed twin grappling sensation Tye and Kade Ruotolo to the ONE circle for the first time, both of whom won their matches against two huge names in modern-day grappling: Garry Tonon and Shinya Aoki.

BUATSI VS RICHARDS 

London rivals Joshua Buatsi and Craig Richards faced-off in what promised to be an epic battle. Set in their hometown, the fighters entertained a local crowd at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. The fight went all 12 rounds and resulted in Buatsi taking the win with a unanimous decision, winning 116-112 on one scorecard and 115-113 on the other two judges scorecards. If Canelo Alvarez goes for his trilogy fight against Golovkin, Eddie Hearns has floated the idea of Buatsi facing Bivol in London.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT

Holly Holm hasn’t entered the octagon since defeat of Irene Aldana in October 2020. On Saturday she faced Ketlen Vieira, who came with a win against Miesha Tate late last year. The bout was thrilling, but Verdict, a live-scorecard keeper, gave the win to Holm with a win of 4 out of the five rounds. The official decision, however, went to Vieira, which was defended by Daniel Cormier on Twitter. Holm was able to outstrike Vieira, while the BJJ veteran attempted seven take-down, with one being successful. A potential fight that awaits her is the winner of the Nunes vs. Pena 2 winner.

The always entertaining Michel Pereira took on Santiago Ponzinibbio in a co-main welterweight bout, where Pereira got the win by decision. He later called out Jorge Masvidal, claiming “Gamebred” Masvidal had contacted his wife. Masvidal posted a screenshot showing he had responded to a DM from Pereira’s wife using the praying hands emoji, and called it a cheap attempt at a call-out from Pereira. The “Demolidor” Pereira also called out Nate Diaz but neither fight seems likely at this point. Instead, the winner of the Rakhmonov vs. Magny fight could be a viable option, or indeed Michael Chiesa. 

MAYWEATHER 

Floyd Mayweather has once again stepped out of retirement to enter the ring for an exhibition bout where he faced Done Moore in Abu Dhabi. The bout was eight two-minute rounds and Mayweather was taken the distance by his former sparring partner. His professional boxing record will remain untarnished, but speculations as to why “Money” Mayweather is making all these appearances are increasing. Is he running out of money, or is he merely bored? Does he love the sport so much, or does he want the attention to stay relevant? Whatever the reason, his skill-set is still intact and he remains a draw for boxing fans. Maybe he faces Amir Khan, who recently retired, next. 

Another veteran to enter the ring was former UFC star Anderson Silva who dominated Bruno Machado, yet as the bout was an exhibition no winner was declared. 

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