Another blockbuster ONE Championship card goes down this weekend, and it’s not only the fans who will be eagerly tuning in.
Several of the promotions world champions will eyes on the action when “ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov” takes places at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and airs live and free on Amazon Prime Video for subscribers across North America.
Here’s who will have a vested interest Friday night.
1. Tang Kai
ONE featherweight world champion Tang Kai might be recovering from injury, but the Chinese superstar will no doubt be watching what unfolds in his division on Friday night.
Former world Title challenger and current No. 2-ranked contender Garry Tonon will face off against undefeated Russian Shamil Gasanov in the co-main event, and the bout may have serious repercussions for the featherweight division.
Tonon unsuccessfully challenged then-champion Thanh Le in 2022, but the American grappling sensation rebounded with a devastating first-round submission over Johnny Nunez in January to put himself right back in the hunt.
Gasanov arrived on the global scene to much fanfare in October, and he crashed the rankings by submitting then-No. 2-ranked contender Kim Jae Woong in little more than two minutes in his promotional bow. Now sitting in the No. 5 spot, “The Cobra” will look to cement himself as a threat in his second outing.
Although a rematch with former divisional king Le is likely on the cards for Tang first, the winner of Tonon vs. Gasanov won’t be far from his thoughts.
2. Allycia Hellen Rodrigues
ONE atomweight muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues also has new blood to look out for in her division.
Thailand’s 21-year-old rising star Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom will make her debut on ONE’s main roster at ONE Fight Night 12 after a destructive run in the ONE Friday Fights series saw her reel off two crushing first-round knockouts.
“The Queen” will face former world title challenger Lara Fernandez, who returned to the winner’s column in December by outpointing Dangkongfah Banchamek at ONE 164.
The winner could be fast-tracked into a shot at Rodrigues’ crown, so the Brazilian will be keeping a close watch on this tussle.
3. Regian Eersel
Two-sport ONE lightweight world champion Regian Eersel has been hunting for his next challenger since defending his muay Thai crown against Dmitry Menshikov last month.
“The Immortal” is one of the most dominant champions in ONE history, having reeled off 10-straight victories under the promotion’s banner to take his overall win streak to an incredible 22 fights.
A new challenger could emerge as soon as the action kicks off on July 14, with Moldovan contender Constantin Rusu and Bulgaria’s Bogdan Shumarov clashing in lightweight kickboxing action in the evening’s curtain-raiser.
Rusu has won both of his fights since joining ONE, so victory on Friday would certainly help his case. Meanwhile, Shumarov needed little more than a minute to dispatch Marwen Houli in his promotional debut. If he can do it again at ONE Fight Night 12, no one will be able to deny his talent.
Should the Surinamese superstar like what he sees this weekend, the winner will likely have gathered enough momentum to be strongly considered for the next shot at the lightweight kickboxing gold.
