ONE 165 was bolstered by three bouts on Thursday. At a press conference, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced a major influx to the already stacked card. Two kickboxing bouts and a special rules contest will join the fray on Sunday, January 28, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama and kickboxing legend Nieky Holzken will have a catchweight special rules contest showdown. The bout will be three three-minute rounds in four-ounce gloves. The first round will be contested under boxing rules, the second will be under Muay Thai rules, and the third round will be MMA.
The matchup will add some flavor to the card with two notable names who have nothing left to prove. Akiyama and Holzken have reached the pinnacle of their sports and are just seeking new challenges. This special rules contest should be a fun way to keep the excitement building on January 28.
Stakes will be high for kickboxing, and just because of the main event. In a catchweight bout, Marat Grigorian will meet Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. The two outstanding strikers are among the best in the world, and both men have eyes on challenging for the featherweight gold in 2024. This bout will go a long way in elevating the winner into that chase.
Heavyweights will not be left out of the discussion either. Serbian star Rade Opacic hopes to start another streak after back-to-back wins as he meets Iraj Azizpour. A finish is almost guaranteed with these two behemoths throwing heavy leather at one another.
The three bout additions continue building ONE 165 into one of the year’s biggest events. Headlined by ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 taking on Takeru Segawa, the event is looking incredible. ONE 165 airs live on Sunday, January 28, on global pay-per-view.
