ONE Championship had a landmark year in 2023, mounting a record number of events and breaking various viewership records.
Muay Thai took the main spotlight in the promotion this year with the introduction of ONE Friday Fights, a weekly showcase of upcoming local and global talents in the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Here are our picks as the best of Muay Thai this year:
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ONE Championship’s best Muay Thai fight of 2023 – Superlek vs Rodtang
ONE Friday Fights 34 in September was one of four tentpole events on the promotion’s weekly shows, and it was headlined by one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the sport’s history – Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Originally set to be for Rodtang’s ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, their battle was fought in three rounds instead of five after the kickboxing king failed to make the flyweight limit.
All three rounds were full of action from the two striking superstars as they put on a show for fans around the globe. The card was one of the most-watched events of 2023, breaking viewership records in Thailand and trending across the globe on Twitter and YoutTube.
Superlek edged out Rodtang in their contest, but no World Title changed hands at the time. Ultimately, though, it was the fans who truly won that night.
ONE Championship’s Monster Performer of 2023 – Seksan Or Kwanmuang
The introduction of the ONE Friday Fights series gave the world a chance to watch one of the biggest names in Muay Thai, Seksan Or Kwanmuang, perform on a bigger platform.
A standout performer in Thailand’s competitive local circuit, Seksan took his talents to ONE Championship’s weekly showcase and shined even brighter than ever. “The Man Who Yields To No One” took out his first six opponents to earn a six-figure contract from the world’s largest martial arts organization.
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He continued his path of destruction in his Prime Video debut, claiming a unanimous decision victory over promotional newcomer Karim Bennoui at ONE Fight Night 16 in November.
To close out his year, he edged out Australia’s River Daz at ONE Friday Fights 46 this December. As a result, he finished with an insane 8-0 record in his first full year in ONE, easily the most number of wins – and fights – a single fighter has had in 2023.
ONE Championship’s rising star of 2023 – Johan Ghazali
ONE Friday Fights aims to unleash even more heroes to the world, and they uncovered a true gem in Johan Ghazali.
The Malaysian-American standout impressed in his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 6 in February, knocking out Padetsuk Fairtex in 16 seconds of their flyweight Muay Thai encounter.
He went on to finish two of his next three opponents to earn a six-figure contract from ONE. The 17-year-old went on to produce yet another knockout in his Amazon Prime Video debut with a highlight reel finish against former World Title challenger Edgar Tabares.
“Jojo” appears to be bound for great things in the years ahead, especially after the year he had in 2023.
ONE Championship’s most shocking upset of 2023 – Jonathan Haggerty Ends Nong-O’s Dominant Reign With A Knockout
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Nong-O Hama has reigned supreme on ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai ranks, defeating his first 10 opponents which included multiple defenses of the division’s top prize.
At ONE Fight Night 9 in April, he faced former flyweight king Jonathan Haggerty, who was competing in just his second bout in a heavier weight class in ONE.
As a result, the Thai legend was favored in their matchup and was expected to continue his dominant reign.
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However, the world was shocked to see Nong-O not only take his first loss in the promotion, but to also lay flat on the floor in the opening round as a result.
The arena was filled with both utter shock and awe seeing such a revered fighter fall while recognizing his conqueror’s skills in achieving his monumental feat.
