[ad_1]
ONE 162: Zhang vs. Di Bella introduced the warmth with its nine-bout card on Friday, October 21. The occasion started ONE Championship’s newest double header and gave the world a brand new ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion. It was an thrilling night contained in the Axiata Enviornment in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the ultimate efficiency of the evening, the confetti was swept away. Earlier than the following occasion rolled by, it was sufficient time to pause and replicate on what this card meant. Here’s what we realized after ONE 162 got here and went on October 21.
Canada’s Kickboxing King
Jonathan Di Bella stepped foot into ONE Championship for the primary time at ONE 162, and he proved he was worthy of the principle occasion slot by defeating Zhang Peimian for the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship. The bout was aggressive into the championship rounds. Lastly, a bout-altering head kick shifted the tides for good in his favor.
Di Bella remained unblemished in his kickboxing profession with an ideal 11-0 report. To knock off “The Preventing Rooster” in his debut was spectacular sufficient, however to shut the bout with a knockdown within the last body confirmed he was deserving to put on the crown. Approach, cardio, and coronary heart are all qualities of a champion, and Di Bella demonstrated all on this efficiency.
This was an enormous second for Canada’s kickboxing scene. Di Bella can turn out to be a supply of inspiration for future generations who can level to him carrying a world title belt throughout his shoulders. He’s proof that they will obtain something they need with laborious work. As Di Bella wears that honor, he now has to transition into changing into a defending champion. Heavy is the pinnacle that wears the crown.
McLaren Makes The Proper Strikes
Reece McLaren has been a long-time contender within the flyweight division. Nevertheless, carrying the gold has eluded him to this point. Realizing that he wanted to make some changes, McLaren switched camps and began learning from John Wayne Parr.
The Aussie pair have gotten alongside swimmingly, and the enhancements in McLaren’s hanging are evident. Following his second-round TKO win over Windson Ramos, McLaren put everybody on discover that the newest model of “Lightning” is probably the most harmful to this point. McLaren has at all times been well-rounded, however by elevating his hanging, he can hit the following stage of his profession.
It’s troublesome to vary camps, particularly when you find yourself already a prime contender. However McLaren’s transfer exhibits how essential it’s to acknowledge when you may have stagnated and want change. He deserves reward for making the decision and taking over a brand new problem to chase the gold. Time will inform if he can attain the last word objective, however the enhancements that he wanted are exhibiting to be paying off underneath Parr’s instruction.
Saputra Is Prepared For The Subsequent Stage
Eko Roni Saputra has been quietly transferring up within the flyweight division. His improvement has been incremental, and his floor work has led the way in which throughout his unbeaten run. At ONE 162, that unbeaten run continued with a spectacular first-round submission over Yodkaikaew Fairtex.
The victory marked his seventh in a row and his seventh first-round end. The Indonesian referred to as for a ranked opponent in his subsequent outing, and it’s clear that’s what he deserves. The streak of first-round finishes, the longest in ONE historical past, ought to earn him a bout in opposition to a top-ranked contender. Saputra might have had a silent rise, however he has been making extra noise as of late.
Now that he’s getting ready to breaking by to the ranked social gathering, Saputra’s star will start to shine a bit of brighter. His regular enchancment has Saputra able to battle anybody, regardless of the place the motion will happen. As 2023 nears, Saputra has set himself as much as be some of the harmful contenders within the division.
[ad_2]
Source link
