ONE Championship’s 100th installment of the ONE Friday Fights series is rapidly approaching, and the card has all the makings of a classic.
Set for March 14 in Asia primetime at Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium, ONE Friday Fights 100 will see world-class fighters throw down in explosive matchups, each designed to deliver drama and action.
With no shortage of fan favorites competing on the lineup, the collective eyes of the combat sports world will surely be focused on this show.
Before the action gets underway in front of an always-raucous Thai crowd, we dive into five reasons why ONE Friday Fights 100 is a can’t-miss event.
#1 Holzken Rematches Sinsamut In His Favorite Sport
Decorated Dutch legend Nieky “The Natural” Holzken will have his chance at revenge when he squares off with Thai hero Sinsamut “Aquaman” Klinmee in a 175-pound kickboxing clash that promises fireworks.
The pair first collided back in 2022 at ONE X in a Muay Thai bout. That night, the debuting Sinsamut shocked the world with a stunning second-round knockout that catapulted him into stardom.
“The Natural” – a former four-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion – will now return to his preferred sport as he tries to even the score at this landmark event.
Sinsamut, meanwhile, is motivated to solidify his dominance over his accomplished foe and assert himself as a legitimate two-sport threat in his ONE kickboxing debut.
#2 Global Stars Return
ONE Friday Fights 100 will see established global superstars compete in Asia primetime.
In flyweight Muay Thai action, beloved brawler Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric will take on Thailand’s Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi.
The 41-year-old Puric has garnered legions of fans thanks to his unforgettable wars at a number of ONE’s biggest U.S. primetime shows, and if history is any indication, his clash with Jaosuayai is guaranteed to entertain.
Also, seven-time Muay Thai World Champion “The Angel Warrior” Panpayak Jitmuangnon hopes to remind fans what made him one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best when he battles dangerous promotional newcomer Magid Seydali in a flyweight Muay Thai fight.
Panpayak has twice pushed current two-sport, two-division titleholder Superlek Kiatmoo9 to the absolute limit since joining ONE. If he can put together a solid winning streak – beginning on March 14 – he’ll find himself in position for another crack at his longtime rival.
#3 A China Vs. China MMA Fight That Fans Have Been Waiting For
Long-reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan will drop down a division to battle heavy-handed atomweight contender Meng Bo in an intriguing all-China clash.
As her country’s first-ever MMA World Champion, Xiong has spent the past several years as a prominent torchbearer for Chinese mixed martial arts, dominating the women’s strawweight division with her venomous, high-output boxing attack.
For her part, the 28-year-old Meng has displayed show-stopping power and elite fight IQ on her way to becoming the atomweight MMA division’s #4-ranked contender – and a budding superstar in China.
Simply put, fans should buckle up for a barnburner when these striking specialists go toe-to-toe.
#4 Surging Foreign Fighters Face Top Thais In Enemy Territory
A pair of talented non-Thai athletes will venture into enemy territory and aim to keep their winning streaks alive against home heroes.
First, Scottish Muay Thai phenom Stephen “El Matador” Irvine hopes to make it four wins in a row, but he’s in for a serious challenge against battle-tested veteran Sornsuek FA Group.
The 25-year-old Irvine has lost just one time across six appearances at ONE Friday Fights, with all of his victories coming against top-flight Thai strikers. Another victory in Bangkok would do wonders for his climb toward a six-figure contract with ONE’s global roster.
Later on in the card, Russian knockout artist Ibragim Abdulmedzhidov will face his toughest opponent yet when he squares off with former Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai in a 137-pound Muay Thai main event.
Abdulmedzhidov has looked nothing short of spectacular through two fights in ONE, scoring back-to-back stoppage wins. His all-action, ultra-aggressive style should make for an electrifying clash against the forward-marching clinch specialist in “Elbow Zombie.”
#5 Someone Could Get That Six-Figure Contract
ONE Friday Fights 100 marks a significant occasion for the organization and its commitment to bringing the world’s most promising rising stars to Lumpinee Stadium each week. Accordingly, the event could produce at least one winner of a coveted six-figure contract and a spot on ONE’s global roster.
In addition to Irvine and Abdulmedzhidov mentioned above, several other fighters competing at the event look to be on the cusp of earning a contract.
First among them is Shadow Singha Mawynn, who has reeled off four straight wins at ONE Friday Fights, most recently picking up a career-defining victory over Thai legend Sittichichai Sitsongpeenong. He’ll take on promotional newcomer Hassan Vahdanirad in a featherweight Muay Thai contest.
Fans also won’t want to miss the return of 24-year-old prodigy Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, who aims to move to 9-0 at ONE Friday Fights and finally secure his spot on the global roster when he goes toe-to-toe with his Thai compatriot Teeyai Wankhongohm MBK.
Other upstarts who could earn a US$100,000 contract include Japanese finisher Yota Shigemori, the streaking Sornsuek, former multi-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin, and fearless brawler Jaosuayai.