ONE Championship is back at it on Friday, January 22, with ONE: Unbreakable.
The six-bout card features four mixed martial arts contests, with three having a significant impact on their respective divisions in the immediate future.
3 Critical Bouts at ONE: Unbreakable
From past champions trying to return to glory to fresh faces trying to usher in new eras, here is a look at three critical bouts happening in Singapore this Friday.
Nakashima’s Lightweight Debut
James Nakashima came up short in his bid to become the ONE Welterweight World Champion at ONE: Inside The Matrix II, but he showed how his game has evolved in the contest. Now, Nakashima is moving down to try and establish himself as a lightweight contender.
And he’ll get a perfect opponent to immediately announce himself to the division when he meets former divisional king, Shinya Aoki.
A win over Aoki would be huge for Nakashima. The American would become an instant contender and notch a second Japanese legend on his record after he dominated Yushin Okami in 2019.
The co-main event is a can’t-miss bout due to its implications on one of the most stacked divisions in the sport.
Can Meng Bo Extend Her KO Streak?
Meng Bo has back-to-back knockouts since joining ONE, and with the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix looming, extending that streak to three could make her the odds-on favorite.
The #2-ranked atomweight contender has momentum on her side, and with the power she possesses, she may be seen as the future of the division, but Brazilian Samara Santos will try to stymie her bid to become the new queen.
The kind of power Meng has is rare at this weight. When she touches her opponents, they are shocked. Another memorable performance will put her at the forefront of the division and establish her as a global star.
Who Moves Into Welterweight Contention?
Former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam returns to welcome Gadzhimurad Abdulaev to the ONE Circle. The matchup will have significant ramifications for the division as Kiamrian Abbasov awaits his next contender.
The biggest question does surround the former king. How does he look in his first bout back since losing the title to Abbasov? Does a win earn him a title rematch?
Obviously, those questions will be answered by the Swede’s performance. But the matchup also gives the Russian a chance to leapfrog into contention himself.
The ONE: Unbreakable card will help lay the groundwork across multiple divisions as the athletes try to put themselves in a position to make their title bids in the new year.
ONE: Unbreakable airs live and free from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on the B/R Live app at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.
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