ONE Championship brings another exciting card to U.S. primetime on Prime Video on Friday, July 5. Ok Rae Yoon will be seeking the ONE Interim Lightweight MMA World Title against Alibeg Rasulov in the main event. However, the ONE Fight Night 23 card is solid from top to bottom.
Looking past the main event, there are many reasons to tune in on Friday night. Start your weekend with world-class MMA, Muay Thai, and submission grappling. Here are three other bouts that are sure to deliver must-see action from Bangkok, Thailand.
Nico Carrillo vs. Saemapetch Fairtex
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty has a date set for ONE 168: Denver with Superlek Kiatmoo9. However, the spot for the next challenger may be decided on Friday. Top contenders Nico Carrillo and Saemapetch Fairtex fire away to state their case on July 5.
Saemapetch is coming off a redeeming performance against Mohamed Younes Rabah. Defeating Carrillo would be a huge step forward in chasing the missing piece to his resume. After years of competing at a high level, Saeampetch is still searching for ONE gold.
Carrillo is on a three-bout winning streak, including Muangthai PK Saenchai and Nong-O Hama. If he defeats Saemapetch, Carrillo’s claim to being the top contender will be hard to deny. A future date with Haggerty could be Europe’s biggest bout in history, and it would be a guaranteed banger.
Tye Ruotolo vs. Jozef Chen
At one point, Tye Ruotolo was known as the teen prodigy of BJJ. Now, that distinction goes to Jozef Chen. The talented South African gets a chance to compete against the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion in his promotional debut in a non-title matchup.
Chen is not daunted by the task of competing against Ruotolo. That alone should make for an exciting scrap on the canvas. Ruotolo has all the motivation to shut down the young gun and show that he is not ready for the champion. Still, a well-contested bout would immediately signal that the 19-year-old is a top contender for the future.
It should be an all-out aggressive matchup. That is what we have come to know from Ruotolo, and Chen will have to match it with his youthful exuberance. The present and future of grappling will be on display as both men have years and years left to stand atop the BJJ world.
Luke Lessei vs. Bampara Kouyate
Another contender has a chance to stand out on the card; this time, he’s an American Muay Thai machine. Luke Lessei will take on Bampara Kouyate in a featherweight collision that could push him into a title match in 2025. The stakes could not be higher for “The Chef.”
At ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8, Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Jo Nattawut collide for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title once again. If Nattawut wins, Lessei has as good a case as anybody to challenge. It is an opportunity that could put American Muay Thai centerstage.
Kouyate may have other plans. The French striker is not coming into the match to be anybody’s punching bag. A win for Kouyate would also push him into the title talk as a potential contender. If the moment gets too big for Lessei, look for Kouyate to take over and steal his thunder.
ONE Fight Night 23 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, July 5. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime subscribers.
