3 High-Stakes Matches You Shouldn’t Miss at ONE 165

After more than four years away, ONE Championship is set to return to the Land of the Rising Sun and is bringing with it a blockbuster; a 11-fight card packed with the world’s top martial artists. Headlined by a Kickboxing World Title fight between defending titleholder Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa, ONE 165 goes down live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena this Sunday, January 28.

Beyond that monumental main event, fans have plenty of reasons to tune in. Before the action gets underway, we take a closer look at three can’t-miss contests.

Garry Tonon vs. Martin Nguyen Offers Explosive Finishes

A crack at the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title could be on the line when submission ace Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon squares off with former two-division kingpin Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen. With both men ranked in the division’s top five and each coming off a sensational victory, the winner of this pivotal showdown will make a strong case to challenge whoever comes out on top when current titleholder Tang Kai battles interim king Thanh Lee in March at ONE 166: Qatar.

What’s more, this fight promises fireworks for as long as it lasts. Tonon and Nguyen are both proven finishers, with the American typically getting the job done on the canvas while “The Situ-Asian” poses a serious knockout threat.

Kingad vs. Wakamatsu in Flyweight MMA Rematch

In flyweight MMA action, the #2-ranked Danny Kingad will clash with the #4-ranked Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu in a rematch of the pair’s unforgettable 2018 bout.

Each widely regarded among the division’s most skilled and well-rounded athletes, both Kingad and Wakamatsu know that a strong performance on Sunday could lead to the ultimate prize – a shot at reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

And because the MMA GOAT has been flirting with the idea of retirement, they both recognize that this could be a chance to be the final opponent of Johnson’s incredible career.

Read More: Four Reasons to Watch ONE 165: Takeru vs. Superlek

Iraj Azizpour vs. Rade Opacic: The battle for a shot at Kryklia’s reign

Collosal heavyweights Iraj Azizpour and Rade Opacic are sure to deliver an explosive brawl in their kickboxing showdown, giving fans the white-knuckle action they expect from these heavy hitters. More than just a fun firefight, the bout could produce a challenger for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title.

With Ukrainian sensation Roman Kryklia holding the light heavyweight and heavyweight Muay Thai belts, as well as winning the ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix, he stands out as a favorite to fight for the heavyweight kickboxing crown.

Meanwhile, a victory for either Azizpour or Opacic could secure him a shot at 26 pounds of gold and the opportunity to put an end to Kryklia’s reign of terror.

Read More: Heavyweight Slugger Rade Opacic Determined to Test Iraj Azizpour’s Chin at ONE 165 – “We Won’t Be Going the Distance”