ONE Fight Night 17: Kryklia vs. Roberts on Prime Video is a striking aficionado’s dream.
The promotion’s first-ever all-Muay Thai card is stacked with elite stand-up specialists who are ready to deliver the goods in front of a U.S. primetime audience this Friday, December 8.
With a massive World Title clash topping the bill and a supporting card full of bona fide contenders, fans can look forward to eight riveting battles at the Mecca of Muay Thai – Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Here are the five biggest reasons to watch ONE Fight Night 17: Kryklia vs. Roberts on Prime Video this Friday.
#1 The Inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title Fight
Roman Kryklia is the organization’s most dominant striker in the heavier weight classes, and now, he’s on the hunt for a third belt.
The Ukrainian is already the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion and ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion, but he’s not content with that.
After posting a flawless 5-0 slate with four stoppages in ONE Championship to date, the 6-foot-7 skyscraper is now switching codes and going for two-sport glory.
To add the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title to his collection, Kryklia will have to utilize his incredible reach and cerebral offense against Aussie hard-hitter Alex “The Viking” Roberts.
Roberts is fresh off the biggest win of his career, having claimed the WBC Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title this past October, and he brings a lot of momentum into his promotional debut.
The Australian’s front-foot style and heavy hands are a problem for any fighter on the planet, but are they enough to solve the Kryklia riddle?
#2 Pivotal Featherweight Muay Thai Battle
Luke “The Chef” Lessei has a chance to make an instant impact on the featherweight Muay Thai division when he faces #4-ranked contender “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in his promotional debut.
Although his pro record is just 5-0, Lessei has quickly raced to the top of his weight class in the United States, backed by a lengthy amateur record and a lifetime of experience in his father’s gym.
The American has stopped all his opponents so far and looks like a promising future star, but this will be his biggest test to date.
Nattawut is a seasoned veteran who has competed against the best of the best, including reigning ONE World Champions Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Chingiz Allazov.
The Thai veteran has five victories in ONE already, with three of those wins coming via knockout, so he can match Lessei for firepower. The key will be whether his experience will be enough to subdue “The Chef,” who enters the battle with confidence and momentum.
#3 U.S. Primetime Debut Of Teen Prodigy Johan Ghazali
Cited by many as the next Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Johan “Jojo” Ghazali looks ready to entertain the global fan base in his U.S. primetime debut.
At just 16 years old, the Malaysian-American made a massive statement during his time on the weekly ONE Friday Fights event series, where he earned four consecutive victories including three KOs.
Now 17 years old and the recipient of a six-figure ONE Championship contract, Ghazali has the world at his feet. But in order to move forward, he’ll need to defeat Mexican veteran Edgar Tabares first.
Tabares, a former WBC Muay Thai International Champion, has already challenged for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, so he’s used to these big moments and won’t be fazed by the burgeoning “Jojo.”
That said, Ghazali’s skill and power have made him unstoppable so far, and the question will be whether the Mexican can withstand the onslaught that will inevitably come his way.
#4 Flyweight Muay Thai Mayhem
Walter Gonçalves (@walter_goncalves_ironhands)In addition to the aforementioned Johan Ghazali vs. Edgar Tabares bout, there are two more must-see flyweight Muay Thai showdowns on the card.
After taking a brief detour to make his MMA debut in July, #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves returns to “the art of eight limbs” and feels re-energized in his quest for Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s gold.
The well-rounded Brazilian takes on British striker Jacob Smith, who is also motivated to get a rematch with “The Iron Man” and leapfrog his foe in the divisional rankings.
Also, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat is making his long-awaited return to the global stage. The Vietnamese superstar captivated fans with back-to-back knockout victories in 2019, but the COVID-19 situation in his home country forced him on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Now, though, Duy Nhat is being unleashed once again and looks to pick up where he left off. But his first assignment back is the ultra-tough Denis Puric, a menacing striker who has the ability to finish any opponent with a single blow.
#5 First All-Muay Thai Event In ONE History
For the first time ever, Muay Thai will be the lone rule set at a ONE Championship event – and for it to be live in U.S. primetime is monumental.
ONE is already helping to build a fresh surge of interest in “the art of eight limbs” in North America, and the exciting battles on this card will surely help to bring more fans to the sport.
There are knockout artists, technicians, rising stars, and veterans all on the bill, and viewers will get to see a variety of different styles in play to witness the richness of the martial art.
The organization’s fast-paced three-rounders with the 4-ounce gloves have revolutionized the intensity of the sport, and the chances of the only five-round World Title fight going the distance are extremely slim.
Although no result is certain, when the night is over, the only guarantee is that fans will have witnessed a thrilling event like no other in the promotion’s history.
