ONE Championship’s broadcast debut on Prime Video has come with no shortage of fanfare.
The organization will make its return to North American primetime television on Friday with a card headlined by a world title rematch between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
With just hours to go until showtime, here are three reasons why you should check out ONE on Prime Video 1.
Two world title fights
For North American fans who might be unfamiliar with ONE Championship, Friday night’s event will serve as a fitting introduction, as the card will showcase not just an MMA world title fight, but also a muay Thai world championship bout.
In the main event, all-time MMA great “Mighty Mouse” will look to avenge the one and only stoppage loss of his career.
Moraes (20-3), the longtime ONE flyweight world champion, finished Johnson (23-4-1) in April 2021 with a spectacular second-round knockout. Since then, the Brazilian kingpin has successfully defended his belt once more, submitting Yuya Wakamatsu in the third round of their March 2022 encounter.
Johnson has also found success since the loss to Moraes, as he defeated ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a special rules super-fight earlier this year.
Even with the loss to Moraes, Johnson is still widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. But is it possible that “Mighty Mouse” has lost a step? Or will Moraes prove that his first win was no fluke and further establish himself as the flyweight king?
Before that main event showdown, Liam Harrison will challenge Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the ONE bantamweight muay Thai world championship.
Nong-O has been on a tear lately, finishing each of his past three opponents to extend his ONE Championship unbeaten streak to eight.
Harrison, though, represents a real threat to the Thai’s reign. He is one of the best British strikers ever and will bring thunderous punching power to contend with Nong-O’s slick technique.
ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix semifinals
In addition to the pair of world title fights, the card also includes the ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix semifinal bouts, which are sure to deliver action.
In the first semifinal, “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 takes on Brazilian knockout artist Walter Goncalves.
Fresh off a 35-second knockout in his quarterfinal matchup, Goncalves will look to play the spoiler against the more experienced Superlek. With nothing to lose, fans can expect the Brazilian to bring the action to “The Kicking Machine” early and often, looking to find yet another quick knockout.
And on the other side of the bracket, Rodtang will collide with Cypriot underdog Savvas Michael.
Rodtang has been a dominant force in ONE. He has won all 11 of his muay Thai and kickboxing bouts in the promotion, solidifying himself as one of the best pound-for-pound strikers in the world.
Naturally, “The Iron Man” will be favored. But just like Goncalves in the other semifinal, Michael will have nothing to lose, making him an incredibly dangerous opponent.
A grappling legend’s ascent to the heavyweight throne
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (3-0) is one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors of all time. He made his professional MMA debut in September 2021 and hasn’t looked back since, racking up three first-round finishes in as many fights.
On Friday, “Buchecha” will face former ONE interim heavyweight world title challenger Kirill Grishenko (5-1). With a win, Almeida could easily find himself fighting for the heavyweight belt in his very next contest.
Almeida has proven to be every bit of the ultra prospect fans and media expected. In each of his three MMA bouts, “Buchecha” has quickly taken the fight to the mat where he uses his elite grappling ability to utterly dominate his opponents.
Of course, Grishenko is no pushover. He has twice as many pro MMA fights than Almeida and comes from a wrestling background, meaning he might become the first man to stop a “Buchecha” takedown inside the ONE circle.
But if “Buchecha” secures yet another first-round stoppage, fans might be looking at the next ONE heavyweight world title challenger.





