ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov is shaping up to be another action-packed card, with a plethora of important matches highlighting the event. Superlek Kiatmoo9 is hot on the chase for a World Title in Muay Thai in the evening’s main event. Just three weeks after demolishing teenage sensation Nabil Anane, “The Kicking Machine” is set to face the dangerous Tagir Khalilov in a flyweight battle.
Meanwhile, featherweight MMA contenders Garry Tonon and Shamil Gasanov will be jostling for position in the division when they lock horns in the co-main contest. Currently ranked second and third, respectively, the winner could be in prime position to fight the winner of the World Title rematch between reigning king Tang Kai and Thanh Le.
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Away from the marquee battles, however, there is a stacked card filled with high-stakes bouts featuring the best fighters on the planet across various disciplines. Here’s a breakdown of three other matchups that fans should keep an eye on.
Strawweight Submission Grappling–Tammi Musumeci vs. Amanda Alequin
ONE Championship will welcome a new face on Friday night–one that is guaranteed to add even more excitement to its submission grappling roster. Multiple-time BJJ World Champion Amanda “Tubby” Alequin is set to make her promotional debut opposite Tammi Musumeci in a strawweight submission grappling affair, and the Ecuadorian-American is bound to bring her aggressive style and relentless pursuit of a finish to the ONE ring.
Her former training partner, Musumeci, has already showcased her talents on ONE’s global stage, but she was left unsatisfied with her performance because it went the full distance. The American will no doubt be eager to correct her mistakes and put on a better performance against her familiar foe.
READ MORE – Shamil Gasanov Reveals His Ultimate Goal at ONE Championship After Defeating ‘Dangerous’ Garry Tonon
While the promotion has yet to crown a female World Champion in submission grappling, winning this matchup in decisive fashion could make a case for either woman to call a shot at a battle for the inaugural crown.
Heavyweight MMA–Amir Aliakbari vs. Dustin Joynson
An undisputed heavyweight king has just been crowned, and the rest of the division now has a clear target in Anatoly Malykhin. One of the streaking fighters in the division right now is Amir Aliakbari. Since his loss to Malykhin in September 2021, the Iranian star has collected back-to-back stoppages against top fighters in the ever-growing weight class.
Former World Title challenger Mauro Cerilli fell after two rounds, while former longtime king Brandon Vera was sent into retirement after a first-round loss. Aliakbari hopes that a third straight stoppage will vault him towards a rematch against “Sladkiy” in the near future. But standing in his way is Dustin Joynson, who is looking to prove that he belongs to the planet’s elite fighters in the division.
After earning his first win in the promotion against Hugo Cunha in February 2022, snapping Aliakbari’s win streak could be a nice feather in his cap in his quest to be the best.
Atomweight Muay Thai – Phetjeeja vs. Lara Fernandez
Two hard-hitting strikers with a lot to prove will collide in a pivotal matchup in the atomweight Muay Thai division at ONE Fight Night 12.Thai star Phetjeeja will make her debut on ONE’s main roster against WBC Muay Thai and ISKA Kickboxing World Champion Lara Fernandez, with both ladies hungry to show they deserve to be there.
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Phetjeeja fought her way to a ONE Championship contract, as her back-to-back knockout wins impressed ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and she will face her toughest test to date in her first match in the promotion to be broadcast live on U.S. primetime via Prime Video.
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For her part, Fernandez was thrust into a battle for the interim World Title of the division in her debut just over a year ago. Despite her valiant effort, she lost the match to Janet Todd. However, she ended the year on a positive note, edging out Dangkongfah Banchamek in December, and now she’ll look to continue her winning ways.
Both fighters are motivated to climb up the ranks to challenge reigning queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, so fans should expect fireworks here.
