The first weekend in May brings about more combat sports for your viewing pleasure. On Saturday, Oktagon MMA and the UFC will each be in action with marquee events, plus Canelo Alvarez returns to the boxing ring to face off against Jaime Munguia for the former’s undisputed super-middleweight championship on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view and DAZN.
https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1785338325202518023
On the eve of UFC 301 and the super-middleweight showdown, ONE Championship takes the spotlight. After another edition of ONE Friday Fights in the morning (US time), the promotion shifts its attention to Amazon for ONE on Prime Video 22 from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
Live coverage of the event kicks off at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on the subscription-based streaming service. Note: This broadcast is available on Amazon Prime Video inside the United States and Canada only.
If you’re located in the United Kingdom and/or Ireland, Sky Sports will carry this show at 1 am local time Saturday. Elsewhere, the card, also known as ONE Fight Night 22, will be accessible on pay-per-view over ONE’s website.
Strawweight Muay-Thai Championship Up for Grabs Friday in ONE on Prime Video 22 Main Event
All told, barring any late cancellations or postponements between now and Friday, 11 bouts will be held across the combative disciplines. Highlighting the night’s activities is a championship Muay-Thai fight at a contracted catchweight of 126 1/2 lbs. in the main event.
Now-former ONE Strawweight Muay-Thai Champion Smilla Sundell (35-5 kickboxing, 4-0 ONE Championship) does battle against challenger Natalia Diachkova (30-4 kickboxing, 4-0 ONE Championship). Only Diachkova can win the title on Friday after Sundell failed to make the 125-lb. championship weight, losing the belt in the process. As with all kickboxing and Muay-Thai fights in ONE Championship, the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at three minutes per round to close the show.
https://twitter.com/ONEChampionship/status/1784130367727042629
The three-knockdown rule will be in effect for Friday’s card. Should a fighter score three knockdowns of the opponent over the course of a round or four knockdowns in the match, that fighter will be the winner by TKO.
ONE on Prime Video 22 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event on Friday night, former champ Smilla Sundell stands as the taller contestant at 5-foot-8, compared to the 5-foot-7 frame of challenger Natalia Diachkova. Sundell owns a 69-inch reach advantage, with no such information accessible for Natalia Diachkova at press time.
Although some money lines have been released for this card, the oddsmakers currently have yet to release lines for the main event. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Sundell Ready to Defend Title in ONE on Prime Video 22 Main Event
Smilla Sundell enters the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event having posted a mark of 4-0-1 in her last five fights. She’s gone unbeaten in her last 12 matches dating back to the spring of 2019. Most recently, she defended the title with a third-round TKO by way of kicks and punches against Allycia Rodrigues (33-6 kickboxing, 3-1 ONE Championship) last September during ONE on Prime Video 14.
Recently, she talked to ONE Championship about her upcoming fight and the struggles she’s had in keeping an opponent on the books.
“I’ve been told that I was going to fight many times now, but it’s been rescheduled and cancelled, so I didn’t have any opponents,” Sundell began. “It’s very hard to focus when you don’t have a person in mind. So, it’s been hard to focus, but I’m on it now. I need a name to focus on.”
On Friday, her focus turns to Natalia Diachkova. Will Smilla Sundell come away with a victory in the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event? Tune in and find out.
Diachkova a Tough Customer
In the other corner, challenger Natalia Diachkova has posted a record of 5-0 in her last five fights dating back to October of 2016. Last time out, she scored a first-round knockout over Chellina Chirino (0-2 ONE Championship) on March 15 during ONE Friday Fights 55.
Diachkova’s gameplan for the main event is to humble Sundell, something she mentioned in her interview with ONE.
“I am not scared. I am excited and happy,” Diachkova said. “All I want is to get into the ring with her to see what is so interesting about her and what everyone is talking about. She hasn’t faced the strongest opposition in the division. Her rivals were so small. I think I am the most serious opponent for Smilla so far. I don’t think [she will be my most difficult fight.] I think there are stronger girls out there!”
A confident statement from Diachkova for certain, but can she back up her words with action? Only time will tell.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
With both fighters in the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event strikers by trade, there’s no stylistic edge to this one.
Look for Sundell to Wear Diachkova Down
Sometimes in combat sports, a single punch won’t get the job done. Gradual wear-and-tear of a fighter is just as effective, however, like it was for Sundell against Rodrigues.
During the third round, Sundell repeatedly landed elbow strikes and scored with shots in the clinch. Even though the referee broke the clinch up late in the round, Sundell’s offensive attack was unrelenting and a flurry of shots ended the fight.
If Smilla Sundell can work Natalia Diachkova to the point of exhaustion on Friday night, she’ll add to her winning streak.
Look for Diachkova to Try and Work Quickly
In the other corner, Natalia Diachkova would like to get the assignment finished early. She’s stopped three opponents during her current win streak inside the opening round, including Chirino back in March.
For as long as the fight lasted, Diachkova was the aggressor, peppering Chirino with strikes before putting her away with a burst of punches. While Chirino made an effort to rise to her feet to continue the fight, she fell right back down, with the referee waving the contest off right then and there.
Final Thoughts
Even though there will be at least one pivotal Game 6 in the NBA Playoffs quarterfinal round on Friday night, this championship fight in the ONE on Prime Video 22 main event is too good to miss. Will the fight live up to its hype?
Prediction: Smilla Sundell by Third-Round Knockout.
