One thing fans can still do amid a pandemic is dream. They can start looking toward future bouts on the docket and begin getting excited for what is to come. And in ONE Championship, there are three that stand out from the pack.
There are several exciting possibilities to be had, but two of the chosen bouts are title tilts that have already been on the schedule and cannot be ignored. The upper echelon in ONE Championship is getting more talent-rich by the day, and the world-class martial artists are vying to be known as the best.
Which ones should you highlight on your schedule?
Here are three contests in ONE Championships that fans will be excited to see in 2020.
Christian Lee vs. Iuri Lapicus
This ONE Lightweight World Championship bout is one of the top contests awaiting fans across the globe when action resumes in 2020.
“The Warrior” made a stunning push in 2019 to capture the ONE Lightweight World Championship and backed it up by coming in on short notice to win the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix. However, his first official title defense is against one of the most unsung talents anywhere on the planet.
It is not just that Lapicus is undefeated. No, it is about his improvement as a martial artist and how he has won. In his last outing, in what was supposed to be an epic clash of grapplers, he dominated Marat Gafurov in 67 seconds.
Lapicus vs. Lee provides one of the most intriguing and engaging match-ups anywhere. Stylistically, it should be thrilling with two young world-class athletes showcasing their well-rounded skillset against one another. Throw in a World Championship, and you have the makings for a can’t miss scrap.
Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes
Another title tilt awaiting fans is the ONE Flyweight World Championship showdown between champion Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson.
Ever since Johnson made the jump to ONE Championship, fans have been waiting for him to get a crack at the gold. That time is near. Johnson captured the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix to earn his shot, and the pound-for-pound legend will get the opportunity to add another piece of gold to his collection.
For Moraes, it’s a chance to validate his career with a win over arguably the greatest talent ever to do it. The reigning champion can announce himself as one of the world’s best with an upset victory.
It’s a legacy fight for Johnson and a golden opportunity for Moraes. High stakes at the highest level.
Angela Lee vs. Xiong Jing Nan III
The potential trilogy bout between Angela Lee and Xiong Jing Nan is far from official. Would it be for Lee’s atomweight crown or Xiong’s strawweight title? Or would the third meeting be a superfight at a catchweight in the middle?
All questions to be determined at a later date. Regardless, the trilogy bout has to be on every fight fan’s radar.
Why? Well, if you missed the first two encounters, you missed two thrilling comeback performances. In the first bout, Xiong overcame a strong performance from Lee to stop her in the championship rounds and retain her belt. In the second meeting, Lee overcame adversity and submitted Xiong late to keep her gold.
Drama filled the air in each previous encounter, and the series is level at one each. A third bout in the culmination of this extraordinary rivalry must be in the cards and should lead the way on a stacked event. This is the one every fan should be requesting.
