It’s back-to-back events for Asia’s biggest MMA promotion. After last week’s card in Singapore this Saturday is ONE: “Warrior’s Dream” in Jakarta and the headliner is a welterweight title tilt.
Undefeated American Tyler McGuire faces Swedish striking specialist Zebastian Kadestam for a title which, until recently, was the property of Ben Askren. The event at Stadium Istora also features the ONE Championship of debut of kickboxing veteran Nieky Holzken.
Here’s my preview of the top half of the card (for part one click here).
125 lbs.: Elipitua Siregar Vs Muhammad Imran
Elipitua Siregar (2-0) has won two out of two for ONE Championship and on both occasions his ground game has been the key to victory, with one win coming by way of submission and the other by ground and pound.
Muhammad Imran (5-2) has been the distance with two solid fighters in his last two bouts, even if his opponent got the nod on both occasions. He clearly represents a step up in terms of opposition for Siregar and the Pakistani will be desperate to snap that two fight losing skid here.
135 lbs.: Zach Zane Vs Jimmy Yabo
At the start of 2013 Zach Zane (10-7), who has Indonesian roots, was a Hawaiian journeyman with more losses than wins. But he’s now on a six fight winning streak and hasn’t tasted defeat in over five years.
Zane will be odds on to continue that run against Jimmy Yabo (5-6) who has lost six fights out of seven in the ONE Championship cage. The Filipino does have some power as he demonstrated when KOing Bashir Ahmad in 2016.
135 lbs.: Lerdsila Chumpairtour Vs Sok Thy
This is a rematch of a very close fight in the ONE Super Series. Lerdsila Chumpairtour got the nod first time around but we probably wouldn’t be seeing them face each other so soon if there wasn’t some doubt surrounding that decision.
Sok Thy was a top ranked fighter at Lumpinee but is now back in his native Cambodia. Lerdsila is a few more year’s past his prime but has more experience of fighting overseas and this promises to be another close contest.
125 lbs.: Pongsiri Mitsatit vs Hayato Suzuki
Hayato Suzuki (19-1-2) must have one eye on the ONE Championship Tokyo card, particularly as he holds a 2017 submission win over reigning strawweight champion Josua Pacio.
Pongsiri Mitsatit (9-1) is a Muay Thai veteran but he was swiftly submitted by Pacio in his last fight, which gives a pretty good indication of where this one is likely to go. The Thai has an advantage in striking terms but Suzuki’s mission will be to ensure he can’t capitalize on it.
115 lbs.: Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol Vs Angelie Sabanal
Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol (4-3) is a veteran of seven ONE Championship fights, among the female fighters on the roster only Angela Lee and Ann Osman have more. She comes from a wushu background but has two submission wins on her record.
Angelie Sabanal (1-0) scored a decision win over the popular Rika Ishige on her ONE Championship debut. She comes from a Muay Thai background, but looks to be less experienced than the Indonesian in grappling terms.
172 lbs.: Nieky Holzken Vs Cosmo Alexandre (Kickboxing)
Nieky Holzken recently made the crossover to boxing look easy by reaching the semi finals of the WBSS Middleweight Tournament. His kickboxing style consists mainly of punches and low kicks but he will sometimes switch stance to land a left body kick.
Cosmo Alexandre is primarily a Muay Thai fighter. He’s good with his elbows but won his last ONE Super Series fight with a knee to the midsection, The ruleset is probably in the Duchman’s favour but this looks set to be a top level striking contest.
185 lbs.: Zebaztian Kadestam Vs Tyler Mcguire
During his PXC days Zebaztian Kadestam (10-4) earned a reputation as being a devastating Muay Thai striker who was renowned for his head kicks. He’s also dangerous with elbows and knees and will want to press home his striking advantage here.
In his last fight Tyler McGuire (11-0) outwrestled Luis Santos which is no mean feet. He has a background in Taekwondo, striking isn’t his specialty but he throws enough to keep opponents at bay and create opportunities for the takedown.
Kadestam has fought five rounders before and been the distance whereas McGuire had been taking fairly easy matchups until he signed with ONE Championship. This could well go into the latter rounds and if the Swedish striker can’t land something of subtance the American might well grind out a decision.
The entire ONE: “Warrior’s Dream” card will be available to view live and free using the newly launched app which you can download here. The first six fights will also be live on twitter and facebook.