Nguyen vs. Tonon Set to Ignite Sparks at ONE 165 in Tokyo

The long-standing rivalry between Martin Nguyen and Garry Tonon is about to reach its boiling point as the two fighters are slated to face off in a featherweight MMA clash at ONE 165. The highly anticipated event is scheduled to take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and will be broadcast live on January 28.

The animosity between Nguyen and Tonon has been a focal point for years, playing out vividly on various social media platforms. Now, fight fans worldwide can witness the verbal sparring transform into physical combat. Moreover, the stakes are high, as a decisive victory could potentially open the door to a shot at the prestigious ONE Featherweight MMA World Title.

Currently holding the #3 contender spot, Martin Nguyen is widely regarded as one of the most feared knockout artists in ONE Championship. Boasting a professional record of 15-6 and an impressive 87 percent finishing rate, "The Situ-Asian" holds the division record for the most victories with 11. His recent unanimous decision triumph over Leonardo Casotti in February served as a stark reminder of Nguyen's enduring dominance.

On the flip side, the #1-ranked featherweight MMA contender, Garry Tonon, is a grappling virtuoso celebrated for his prowess as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the current MMA landscape. With an 8-1 professional record and an 88 percent finishing rate, "The Lion Killer" is riding high on a two-bout winning streak. Tonon's most recent display of grappling mastery featured a kneebar submission victory over Shamil Gasanov in July.

Tonon's quest for redemption is fueled by his sole career defeat at the hands of reigning ONE Interim Featherweight MMA World Champion Thanh Le for the lineal title in March 2022. To earn another shot at the World Title, Tonon must overcome the formidable challenge presented by Martin Nguyen.

Adding to the excitement of ONE 165, the kickboxing super-fight between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa will headline the event, promising a thrilling night of combat sports in Tokyo.