ONE Championship returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium for ONE Fight Night 8. The fun night ended with two exceptional title matches. The first unified the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship, and the second put the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title under the bright lights of the main event.
The diversity in matchmaking from ONE continues to offer fans a little slice of everything. And when the athletes deliver, it makes for a memorable night. ONE Fight Night 8 was no exception.
The action was thrilling but also provided insight into the stars that competed and the future ahead of them. Following another night from “The Lion City,” here are three things we learned from ONE Fight Night 8.
Superlek’s Aura Grows
There is no doubt that Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Rodtang Jitmuangnon would have been a massive main event. It would have also helped determine who truly is the greatest flyweight striker on the planet. But with Rodtang’s removal due to an undisclosed injury, Superlek still had a chance to make his case against Danial Williams.
Not only did he continue his impressive streak, but Superlek also continued to build his aura of invincibility. Williams was a game opponent, but Superlek was on another level. The third-round knockout was just the cherry on top of another brilliant sundae by the Thai superstar.
Superlek’s kicking game is vicious and beautiful. His ability to break down an opponent is impressive. Everything the Thai athlete brings to the table is near-perfect and makes him virtually untouchable. It is what makes the match against Rodtang so compelling.
Rodtang is one of the most exciting martial artists on the planet, and he is an incredible striker. But Superlek’s ascent to stardom brings a different element to the table and forces the question of who is truly better. At some point very soon, that fight must happen, and that question will be answered. Until then, the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion’s mystique will grow.
Rodrigues Is The Truth
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues returned from a more than two-year layoff to unify the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship against Janet Todd. And she looked phenomenal in the process. The inspirational performance showed that her initial upset over Stamp Fairtex was no fluke, and she stands alone at the top of the Muay Thai mountain.
Rodrigues got off to a slow start, but that was part of the game plan. In her post-event interview, the Brazilian said she wanted to take things slowly in her return as she expected Todd to force the issue early. That is exactly how it played out, and she was able to take control of the match as it entered the championship rounds.
The atomweight queen’s performance showed no sign of ring rust. She showed how resilient she is with a brilliant tactical showcase. After the match, she said she hoped to inspire other mothers in their pursuits with her title-winning victory. Rodrigues left no doubt in her win and continues to elevate her star power as the face of ONE’s atomweight Muay Thai division.
Ham Gets A Shot At Atomweight Gold
Ham Seo Hee and Itsuki Hirata battled from bell to bell, but it was the South Korean who got her hand raised in the heated rivalry matchup. Ham’s takedown defense stifled her Japanese foe, allowing her to hammer her with short strikes in each round. The victory put her into a shot for the gold.
After the event, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong stated that Ham would get a shot at the title. In a post-event interview with the South China Morning Post, Sityodtong noted that there is a strong possibility that an interim title will be created. Ham has seemingly locked up one-half of that future match, putting all eyes on ONE Fight Night 10’s atomweight collision between Stamp and Alyse Anderson.
“I think we’re going to do an interim title shot. Let’s see what happens with Stamp and Alyse, but for sure, Ham Seo Hee will be going into the interim title shot in her next fight. And then her opponent will be either Stamp or whoever is in the top five or top two or whatever it is. So, yeah, she will get a title shot,” said Sityodtong.
The news fell on gracious ears. Ham was excited to learn of the title shot, and it will be a chance for her to secure a missing piece to her incredible resume. She is on a fantastic streak and is unbeaten in ONE to date, and there is no other contender more deserving of the opportunity.
