ONE Championship is back in U.S. primetime. ONE Fight Night 18 hits Prime Video on Friday, January 12. And it should be a fast-paced nine bouts when the action gets underway.
At the top of the card, Shamil Gasanov and Oh Ho Taek will throw down as both men push to get into title contention. However, when looking deeper into the card, there is much more to take notice of. Here are three bouts you need to watch at ONE Fight Night 19 from Bangkok, Thailand.
Kwon Won Il vs. Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg
The main event has a lot at stake with two motivated featherweights ready to put on a show. But Kwon Won Il and Shinechagtga Zoltzetseg is the best bet for Fight of the Night. On paper, it is guaranteed mayhem.
Win or lose, Zoltsetseg is going to be exciting. He is a wild man inside the ring. In every one of his matches, something unique and exciting happens.
Then there’s Il, who is marching back up the ranks in the bantamweight division. The South Korean also has a perfect 100% finishing rate in his wins. He could earn a rematch against ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade with another stellar outing.
This is a fight fan’s kind of matchup. Neither individual will back down and both will be aggressive. The age-old adage of “don’t blink” certainly applies.
Artem Belakh vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu
Artem Belakh had an impressive debut in 2022 that looked like he could be a contender in the division. However, he suffered a setback in his return against Il in 2023. Now he is back to try and regain his momentum.
However, he is facing one of the unsung heroes of the division. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu has quietly put together a nine-bout winning streak with a perfect 3-0 promotional record. If the Mongolian can get past Belakh, he could be an undeniable threat to the crown.
This bantamweight thriller is all about respect and who can get it. They are two dynamic athletes, and an entertaining bout is not in question. Keep an eye on this one as the winner will put himself right in the hunt in 2024.
Kang Ji Won vs. Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif
Heavyweights are typically good for a finish. That is most certainly the case when “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won is one-half of the equation. The powerful South Korean is back at ONE Fight Night 18.
Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif will be making his promotional debut in the matchup. The Dutch-American will have a great opponent to show off his skills and make an instant impact. He will have to match the intensity to walk out with a win.
“Mighty Warrior” will want to get the taste of defeat out of his mouth after his last match against Ben Tynan. With two heavyweights seeking a push in 2024, there is plenty of reason to expect big strikes. When those big strikes land in the heavyweight division, it’s a wrap.
ONE Fight Night 18 airs live on Friday, January 12. The action begins at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Prime Video. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.
