Highly Touted Western Striking Stars to Make Promotional Debut on All-Muay Thai One Fight Night 17 Card Event

ONE Championship’s final event on U.S. primetime was already set to feature a swathe of hard-hitting matchups. However, it just got more interesting with the addition of two new battles to the December 8 card. ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video, the promotion’s first all-Muay Thai card, will now see the debut of two new fighters.

Decorated British striker Ellis Barboza and highly regarded American star Luke Lessei will enter the organization. The two debutants will take on Thai fighters Thongpoon PK Saenchai and Jo Nattawut, respectively.

Ellis Barboza is set to make his mark!

Barboza arrives in ONE touted as one of the top talents on the European circuit. The 23-year-old is a British Muay Thai Champion and a WBC European Muay Thai World Champion. Further, he currently trains at the famed Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand.

His first match in the world’s largest martial arts organization, a 120-pound catchweight Muay Thai contest, will immediately put him to the test. Thongpoon has electrified crowds through his three bouts in the ONE Friday Fights series this year.

Read More – Tawanchai vs. Superbon Out for ONE Fight Night 17, Gets Re-Booked for ONE Friday Fights 46 in December

After back-to-back knockout wins, the veteran edged past his compatriot Yangdam Sor Tor Hiewbangsaen this past June. Further, he claimed a coveted six-figure contract to compete on ONE’s biggest stage. Both fighters are looking to prove themselves to a broader audience. Therefore, fans can expect this bout to be one of the potential show-stealers when ONE Fight Night 17 goes down.

Luke Lessei is ready for ONE Championship

Meanwhile, the stacked featherweight Muay Thai division welcomes a new contender in Lessei. With #5-ranked contender Niclas Larsen out due to injury, the 27-year-old American has stepped up. Also, it could be his most significant career opportunity yet. ‘The Chef’ brings a dynamic and entertaining style of fighting to the ring when he competes.

Now, he’ll be hoping to make an immediate impact against Nattawut. ‘Smokin’ Jo currently holds the #4 spot in the divisional rankings and is widely regarded as one of the world’s hardest strikers. While he has struggled to get into the winner’s column over his last three bouts, two of his losses came against pound-for-pound greats Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Giorgio Petrosyan. He’ll no doubt be hungry to re-establish his position as one of the best in the division by spoiling Lessei’s promotional debut.

ONE Fight Night 17 will be headlined by light heavyweight kickboxing king Roman Kryklia’s quest for two-sport glory when he takes on Aussie powerhouse Alex Roberts for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming days.