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ONE Championship electrified fight fans with an all-Muay Thai spectacle at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 9. The ONE Fight Night 17 card boasted an impressive seven knockouts out of eight fights, treating the audience to a night of intense action and unforgettable moments.
The pinnacle of the evening was reached in the main event, where Roman Kryklia delivered a crushing knockout blow to Australia's Alex Roberts, securing the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title. The Ukrainian powerhouse, already holding the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title, added another feather to his cap with a stellar performance. The title clash unfolded with a competitive opening round, featuring a knockdown by Kryklia and a resilient response from Roberts with a well-timed elbow.
However, Kryklia's speed proved decisive in the second round, as a lightning-quick left hook landed just 25 seconds in, clinching victory and the coveted heavyweight Muay Thai strap. The triumph earned Kryklia not only a new title but also a US$50,000 performance bonus.
While Kryklia's knockout stole the spotlight, the co-main event between "Smokin'" Jo Nattawut and Luke Lessei delivered a compelling showdown that left fans on the edge of their seats. In Lessei's ONE debut, the American came out swinging, but it was Nattawut's relentless assault that won over the judges. The clash between the two warriors has already become a strong contender for "Muay Thai Fight of the Year."
Adding to the night's accolades were standout performances by U.K. sensation Jacob Smith and Russian knockout artist Dmitry Menshikov, both earning performance bonus awards for their respective victories.
As the curtain falls on ONE Championship's U.S. primetime series for 2023, the Muay Thai spectacle in Bangkok will undoubtedly linger in the memories of fight enthusiasts, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next chapter in ONE Championship's global combat sports journey.