ONE on Prime Video 2: Xiong vs. Lee III has come and gone, but the memories it left are still very much alive. The nine-bout event delivered incredible action on Friday, September 30, which has left fans to reflect on the event.
ONE Championship stepped back into U.S. primetime with another big event capped off by a main event that kept the martial arts world talking. ONE Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan and Angela Lee battled relentlessly and left everything inside the Circle. But that was not all that happened last Friday.
What lessons were learned? What comes next after the lights shut off inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium? Those are just two questions of many that the event left us with following the final bell.
Here are four things we learned from ONE on Prime Video 2.
Xiong vs. Lee Is A Special Trilogy
Trilogies are not always equally exciting. Nor are they always competitive throughout each installment. We have seen this time after time when rivals square off more than once. However, what Xiong Jing Nan and Angela Lee have done through three matches is nothing short of remarkable.
Their first two epic encounters had been detailed many times before their latest meeting. When the bell rang inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium, it looked as if Xiong would take control with a swift first-round knockout. But Lee’s indelible warrior spirit would not let her go away.
The Singaporean-American battled back and found success over the remaining four rounds to combat Xiong and make it a close decision after the full 25 minutes elapsed. Although Xiong won the unanimous decision, both women should be celebrated for the wild action they gave to each and every fan watching.
Xiong vs. Lee is something that belongs in the MMA history books. It is a series of matches that should be lauded and spoken about whenever possible and should never be forgotten. And perhaps the most exciting thing about the series is that it may not be over as both dominant champions are still very much in the prime of their careers.
ONE’s Grappling Ruleset Keeps Action Rolling
Mikey Musumeci defeated Cleber Sousa for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship in the co-main event last Friday. The American took the belt by unanimous decision with more submission attempts. The bout did not see a submission, but ONE’s global ruleset showed why it is the best criteria for the sport moving forward.
Unlike other rule sets that may allow for point fighting to occur, ONE’s rules are to push athletes to attack. And that is exactly what Musumeci did for 10 minutes. “Darth Rigatoni” never stopped seeking submissions and kept Sousa defensive the entire round. It meant there was never a dull moment throughout their battle.
That is how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu should be. It should be about displaying the best technique and seeking to end the match. At ONE 161 last Thursday, we saw another example when Rodrigo Marello secured a 15-second submission win.
ONE’s submission grappling divisions will be nonstop with action because of the judging criteria. It’s all about going for the finish. Fans should expect to see more of it when Kade Ruotolo returns against Uali Kurzhev for the inaugural ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship at ONE on Prime Video 3.
Stamp vs. Meksen Superfight Is Even More Compelling
Before ONE on Prime Video 2 kicked off, ONE announced a mixed-rules superfight between Stamp Fairtex and Anissa Meksen. Regardless of any outcomes, it was already going to be an entertaining and high-profile matchup. Following their matches, it is even more appetizing.
Meksen routed Dangkongfah Banchamek in their Muay Thai matchup. The striking star was never threatened and unloaded strike after strike. After the decision was read, Meksen told the world that she didn’t think Stamp was a real fighter and was only a dancer. She also added that she has trained in MMA before, which could come in huge in January.
Stamp showcased her well-rounded arsenal in a unanimous decision win against Jihin Radzuan. Following her win, she responded to Meksen and asked what has she accomplished because she has never held a ONE title before. The Thai star is confident in her abilities as a mixed martial artist now and could be planning to take the bout to the ground.
With words exchanged turning up the heat for their eventual meeting, the mixed-rules superfight is becoming even more exciting. ONE on Prime Video 6, set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 14, is already becoming one of 2023’s hottest events. Stamp and Meksen may be taking charge and putting their bout at the top of the must-see lists for the new year.
Prime Video Is A New Era Inside The Circle
ONE’s partnership with Prime Video signaled a new era for the promotion’s efforts domestically, but through two events, the results of the shows have also signaled a new era inside the Circle. Oh Ho Taek, Halil Amir, and Ilya Freymanov each made impactful ONE debuts against veteran names in their respective divisions.
At featherweight, Oh got the edge over #5-ranked contender Ryogo Takahashi after three rounds of action. Later on the main card, Freymanov ousted Martin Nguyen by second-round TKO. Two of the top five ranked athletes went down, with newly minted champion Tang Kai having already defeated the top two contenders. It put the whole division in flux.
At lightweight, Amir knocked out longtime contender Timofey Nastyukhin in the second round. The debut put the Turk right in the mix in a jam-packed lightweight division. Along with Freymanov, Amir grabbed a $50,000 performance bonus for his victory.
Prime Video has given a massive platform for newcomers to make a name for themselves from their debut in ONE. It has marked the dawn of a new day as these talents are stepping up to institute immediate change and become factors in their weight classes.
