ONE Friday Fights 22 is a loaded lineup with a heavyweight unification bout bolstered by Muay Thai superstars. It is the most stacked lineup of the weekly event series to date. ONE Championship brings the action back to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, June 23, for another unforgettable night.
It is a night so stacked with talent that Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong’s return to Muay Thai does not even make the list. But what does? Here are three matches you absolutely cannot miss at ONE Friday Fights 22.
Arjan Bhullar vs. Anatoly Malykhin
Unsurprisingly, the ONE Heavyweight World Championship unification bout is at the top of the list to watch. Arjan Bhullar and Anatoly Malykhin finally meet after nearly two years of trash talk. But there are so many questions that have yet to be answered.
For Bhullar, how will he look in his first match back in two years? As for Malykhin, how will he handle the grappling prowess of the heavyweight king? And those are just the first questions to come to mind.
Malykhin has become one of the top heavyweight stars in the sport during Bhullar’s time away. “Singh” has a chance to steal all of his thunder with a big showing. It is an important battle for both men and their legacies. Whoever can assert their dominance will walk away a brighter star and the undisputed ONE Heavyweight World Champion.
Prajanchai PK Saenchai vs. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
Nearly two years ago, Prajanchai PK Saenchai knocked off Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship. The loss sent Sam-A away from the sport for nearly a year. At ONE Friday Fights 22, they will run it back for the interim gold.
The rematch was built off of two impressive showings in Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. At the first ONE Friday Fights event, Prajanchai defeated Kompetch Sitsarawatsuer by unanimous decision to get back in the win column and secure the top contendership position. Sam-A returned to ONE action in March with a second-round KO win over Ryan Sheehan to announce his return to the strawweight title picture.
The Bangkok crowd will be electric for this rematch. Two of their favorite sons will rematch for strawweight gold. This is how Lumpinee Boxing Stadium has molded legends and legendary bouts for years. Prajanchai vs. Sam-A II is set to become another iconic lore told for generations to come.
Gingsanglek Tor Laksong vs. Kongthoranee Sor Sommai
The weekly event series from Bangkok has been nothing short of stellar since it began in January. Both Gingsanglek Tor Laksong and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai have played a role in the excitement of ONE Friday Fights. While no title is on the line, this grudge match is all about respect.
At ONE Friday Fights 6, the two Thai stars threw down. On that night, Kongthoranee took home the victory by knockout in the second round. But Gingsanglek rebounded two months later with a second-round KO of his own against Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi.
This catchweight Muay Thai thriller exemplifies how amazing ONE Friday Fights has been. And the rematch is a great way to enjoy another exciting matchup on a stacked card filled with title tilts and legends. This rematch could be a sleeper for Fight of the Night.
ONE Friday Fights 22 will be live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on June 23. The action begins at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT. The event will air for free on ONE’s official YouTube channel.
