ONE 166: Qatar brings ONE Championship to the country with a loaded lineup. On Friday, March 1, three World Title bout headline a fun night inside the Lusail Sports Arena. But what matches do you need to make sure to see?
Of course, Anatoly Malykhin‘s chase for history to become a three-division World Champion stands out. And the rematch between Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio will be electric. With those already a given, here are three more matches you must witness this weekend.
Tang Kai vs. Thanh Le
All of the title tilts are must-see this weekend, but the featherweight unification matchup stands out as the most action-packed. ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai and ONE Interim Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le already went toe-to-toe for five full rounds. At ONE 166, it’s the start of the sixth frame.
Tang’s absence from the scene makes the matchup even more interesting. While he recuperated from injury, Le got back to the top of the division and flashed a more dynamic arsenal against Ilya Freymanov. What has Tang improved upon since their last meeting?
We will find out the answer to that question while seeing what adjustment each man makes in the rematch. After 25 minutes against each other already, they will have intimate knowledge of the intricacies that make MMA so beautiful. Whoever can adjust quicker will likely walk out as the undisputed ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion.
Arjan Bhullar vs. Amir Aliakbari
While Malykhin chases history, two of his biggest rivals will chase a possible rematch against one another. Former ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Arjan Bhullar returns against the surging Amir Aliakbari. The two talented wrestlers will have their chance to punch their ticket in emphatic fashion.
Aliakbari has been on a finishing streak since losing to Malykhin. The Iranian superstar has three straight finishes on the global stage to knock on the doorstep of a title shot. However, this matchup may come down to whose wrestling can reign supreme.
The first round will be very telling for each man’s game plan. Will either athlete try to take the action to the mat, or will they try to use their wrestling to keep the action standing? Either way, it’s an engaging battle between two world-class heavyweights.
Keito Yamakita vs. Jeremy Miado
The ONE Strawweight MMA World Title may be on the line later in the evening, but strawweights will also kickstart the event. Keito Yamakita has a quick turnaround after a loss at ONE 165 to try and get back in the win column quickly. However, Jeremy Miado wants to stem his own tide to reemerge as a contender.
The reason to watch this matchup has more to do with the stylistic clash that will occur. Both men have finishing instincts and a drive to erase the images of their last outings. This bout is a sleeper for Fight of the Night.
With a big finish, the winner will be right back into the thick of the division. There is no shortage of motivation, and ONE 166 will get rolling with an exciting matchup. Be ready for the opening bell because it will not disappoint.
ONE 166: Qatar airs live on Friday, March 1. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST. The event is available for free on Prime Video.
