ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS (ENGLISH)

ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS (ENGLISH)

ONE Championship is closing out the 2019 calendar year with a blockbuster event, and you can stay connected to all of the action. Follow our blog for ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS, coming to you live from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the main event, Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao challenges "Golden Boy" Wang Junguang for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship. Also, Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov takes on "Muay Thai Boy" Zhang Chenglong for the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title. Plus, Agilan Thani, Jihin Radzuan, Gurdarshan Mangat, Reece McLaren, Tial Thang, and Lerdsila Phuket Top Team are all in action!

    Chen Rui defeats Muhammad Aiman via unanimous decision (mixed martial arts — bantamweight)

    12/6/2019 12:04:18 PM
    ROUND THREE
     
    Chen touched Aiman with a straight right, which nabbed his attention right away. The Malaysian started to up the tempo, but "The Ghost" put together a combination to stop his forward pressure.
     
    Aiman jumped forward with a knee to the chest of "The Ghost," and then he landed more low outside leg kicks. Chen missed with a right hand and ate a counter-right from "Jungle Cat." The Chinese athlete got a counter of his own to help even the score, however.
    12/6/2019 12:03:57 PM
    ROUND TWO
     
    The Malaysian teased a takedown, but bailed on the attempt. Chen continued to show his power advantage, but "Jungle Cat" was more diverse with his attacks and feints.
     
    "The Ghost" missed on two right hooks that had serious power behind them. Aiman continued mixing things up with leg kicks, but Chen's stinging power kept him honest. Aiman landed a clean right hand in the final 30 seconds, but Chen responded right before the bell.
     
    It was a battle of output vs. power in a closely contested second round.
    12/6/2019 11:57:30 AM
    ROUND ONE
     
    Aiman came out fast with a variety of leg kicks and punches, but Chen stood in the pocket and responded. The Malaysian's aggression put him in danger, and "The Ghost" dropped him. Chen went for the finish, but Aiman recovered. "Jungle Cat" grabbed his opponent and took him to the canvas, but Chen was able to get back to his feet.
     
    Just when the pace seemed like it was going to slow down, Chen dropped Aiman again. He tried to land hard ground and pound from the guard, but the Malaysian regained his composure and got back to his feet.
     
    Chen began to breathe more heavily after his attempts to close the show failed. Aiman landed a few outside leg kicks before the round ended. It was a wild opening stanza.
    12/6/2019 11:51:08 AM
    12/6/2019 11:40:58 AM
    Aiman is the first of three Malaysian athletes on the card, but he has a tough task ahead of him. 7-1 Chen posts a 71% finish rate, and wants to make a mark as China’s next great bantamweight star.
    12/6/2019 11:40:34 AM
    The bantamweights keep coming. Malaysia’s “Jungle Cat” Muhammad Aiman will try to please the home crowd against “The Ghost” Chen Rui next.
    12/6/2019 11:39:39 AM

    We caught Taiki Naito backstage following his win, and he talked about his victory and his future. "I feel like I could have done better in my distance control. I put a lot of pressure on him, but he did not want to take a step back,” the Japanese athlete says. "I'd like to return maybe in February or March next year. I want to face someone who is on a winning streak. Maybe if I get a great finish, or an impressive knockout, I can go straight for the World Title."

    12/6/2019 11:38:36 AM
    Following his victory, Tial Thang told Mitch Chilson his plans for next year.
     
    "All the bantamweights, I'm coming! I want them all! 2020, I'm coming hard!"
    12/6/2019 11:38:15 AM

    Tial Thang defeats Kim Woon Kyoum via unanimous decision (mixed martial arts — bantamweight)

    12/6/2019 11:37:05 AM
    ROUND THREE
     
    Kim’s takedown was brought to a halt with a nice sprawl from Tial Thang. The Myanmar hero's lead hand was met with an inadvertent low kick to the groin from the South Korean, and an injury timeout was called.
     
    Soon, after action resumed, Tial Thang ratcheted up the pressure and stalked the Kris Kim BJJ & MMA representative with some nifty jabs, and then he slammed Kim to the mat.
     
    Again, Tial Thang is in top position, but Kim’s overhooks kept any fire from “The Dragon Leg” at bay.
     
    On the referee’s orders, the action is reset to the middle. Another takedown attempt from Kim was foiled by Tial Thang's excellent defense. They circled and Tial Thang threw a bunch of punches and knees in the clinch, just as the exciting final round came to a close. 
     
    We await the judges' scorecards. This was a close one!
    12/6/2019 11:36:43 AM
    ROUND TWO
     
    “The Dragon Leg” starts off red hot in the second frame, encouraged by the crowd support. 
     
    He continued to walk down the South Korean, but Kim was able to counter with some outside leg kicks. 
     
    A low kick from Tial Thang caught Kim by surprise, and the South Korean’s legs nearly buckled. He scrambled out of a ground battle, and then Tial Thang launched a nice salvo of jabs and punches to lock the Seoul native in the clinch yet again.
     
    Kim tried to jump guard, but Tial Thang planted him on the canvas and got into top position. 
     
    They moved back into the stand-up just as the round came to a close. The Myanmar hero's pressure was unrelenting, and it’s now onto the final round!
    12/6/2019 11:29:09 AM
    ROUND ONE
     
    The two competitors share a hug and the action gets underway.
     
    Kim and Tial Thang trade kicks to start as they test each other in the opening minute. They got entangled after a quick close-quarters battle, and then Kim took the Myanmar native to the ground with a nice belly to belly.
     
    The Sanford MMA representative recovered, and a stand-up exchange ensued. Tial Thang blazed an overhand left, which barely grazed the South Korean and again, they are locked in the clinch. 
     
    “The Dragon Leg” executed a beautiful takedown, and the crowd was ecstatic. He tried to get into a dominant position, but Kim put up good effort to stall the Mynamar hero.
     
    We are headed to the second round.
    12/6/2019 11:22:54 AM
    12/6/2019 11:12:40 AM

    Myanmar’s Tial Thang is following in Aung La N Sang’s footsteps, but can he follow them all the way toward greatness with a win? Tial Thang kickstarted his professional career earlier this year with a decision victory at ONE: REIGN OF VALOR. He is trying to show that Myanmar is the next hotbed of talent in the sport.

    12/6/2019 11:12:00 AM
    Following the victory, Yoon spoke to Mitch Chilson.
     
    On thoughts heading into this match...
     
    "I had a lot of pressure coming into this bout."
     
    On his flying knee and choke...
     
    "As soon as the choke went in, I told myself, 'It's done. It's finished.'"
     
    Who he wants next...
     
    " I don't have much [of a] record yet, but I [am getting] my way up there. I would like to face Edward Kelly. I would like to see how I go up against a real striker. Mr. Chatri [Sityodtong], please give me an opportunity. I'll do well."
    12/6/2019 11:02:57 AM

    Bantamweight action is next! Kim Woon Kyoum takes on Tial Thang.

    12/6/2019 11:01:48 AM

    Yoon Chang Min defeats Rodian Menchavez via submission (ninja choke) at 1:45 of round two (mixed martial arts — catch weight of 72 kilograms)

    12/6/2019 10:59:46 AM

    ROUND TWO

     

    Yoon took control in the early going. He marched forward with calculated single shots and put his rival on the back foot. The South Korean’s boxing was on full display, as he connected with perfectly-timed jab-crosses, mixed with the random leg kick.

     

    Soon, “The Big Heart” would hit a flying knee, which seemed to stun Menchavez. He quickly locked in a ninja choke to submit the Filipino.

    12/6/2019 10:58:21 AM

    ROUND ONE

     

    Both men take their time with a feeling-out process and exchange low kicks — with Menchavez committing to the leg kicks a little more. The Filipino hits a jab and a leg kick, but Yoon nearly caught it and sent his rival stumbling backward.

     

    An inside leg kick accidentally connected with the Filipino’s groin, so there was a brief pause in the action. Once the action resumed, the two played a game of cat-and-mouse with their kicks and punches. Menchavez threw another leg kick, which was caught and led to a takedown.

     

    Following a failed armbar attempt, Yoon advanced to side control. As the South Korean looked for an armlock of his own, Menchavez brought him into full guard. However, “The Big Heart” transitioned to half guard and dropped strikes.

     

    Yoon eventually stood up and threw some hard punches that he forced his rival to eat, but the bell rang to end the round.

    12/6/2019 10:55:24 AM
    12/6/2019 10:48:54 AM

    Team Stungun’s Yoon is a perfect 3-0 with three finishes.

     

    Most recently, he beat Phoe Thaw at ONE: CENTURY in October. The last time we saw Menchavez, he fell to Li Kai Wen in June 2018.

    12/6/2019 10:41:49 AM

    Next, it’s a catch weight mixed martial arts contest when Rodian Menchavez meets Yoon Chang Min.

    12/6/2019 10:41:07 AM
    Naito told Mitch Chilson following his victory:
     
    "I am very happy about my victory, but I wanted to kick more and finish my opponent."
     
    Who does Naito want next?
     
    "I am ready to compete against any opponent, so I am ready to go step by step."
    12/6/2019 10:40:40 AM

    Taiki Naito defeats Rui Botelho via unanimous decision (ONE Super Series Muay Thai — flyweight)

    12/6/2019 10:38:52 AM
    ROUND THREE
     
    Naito continued utilizing his front kick to keep his Portugese opponent at bay. Botelho tried getting inside, but the head movement of Naito ensured he was out of danger from powerful punches.
     
    The array of strikes from the Japanese striker kept Botelho guessing in the final minute of the round, and Botelho was not able to get into a rhythm.
    12/6/2019 10:38:10 AM
    ROUND TWO
     
    Naito connected with a push kick early in the round. Botelho came forward and ate a jab from the "Silent Sniper." The Japanese competitor then began mixing up his strikes well to keep Botelho off-balance.
     
    The distance created from Naito's kicks kept his rival on the outside for much of the round. Naito utilized jabs as well to stick his opponent. The output went up, and a third-round was guaranteed.
    12/6/2019 10:33:27 AM
    ROUND ONE
     
    Naito fired off repeated leg kicks on the outset of the first round. Botelho checked many of the kicks and was looking to time Naito with counter shots. The Portuguese striker caught a body kick attempt and responded with a hard punch to the midsection of his opponent.
     
    The Japanese competitor pressed forward more in the closing minute of action, but he was unable to pressure Botelho off of his game. The defense of both athletes was strong in the final 60 seconds.
    12/6/2019 10:29:42 AM
    12/6/2019 10:21:14 AM
    Take a peek at the athlete profiles for Botelho and Naito before the action gets underway.
    12/6/2019 10:19:15 AM
    It’s time for ONE Super Series action in the flyweight division as Rui Botelho battles Taiki Naito.
    12/6/2019 10:16:57 AM

    Rayane Bastos defeats Sovannahry Em via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:40 of round one (mixed martial arts — women’s flyweight)

    12/6/2019 10:13:23 AM
    ROUND ONE
     
    Em charged forward, and the two women let loose in the beginning with strikes. 
     
    Bastos and Em got locked in the clinch before things went to the ground. The Cambodian-American got to guard, but she couldn’t find the space for the follow-up ground and pound.
     
    Bastos got back to her feet, and the crowd went wild. Em kept the pressure on, but her takedowns were reversed into a guillotine by her Brazilian adversary.
     
    With the Cambodian-American down on the mat, the five-time BJJ State Champion tightened up the choke, and forced the quick tap to take the victory.
    12/6/2019 10:12:59 AM
    12/6/2019 10:05:19 AM
    12/6/2019 10:04:43 AM

    If Em has her way, she will keep her “0” and get a first-round KO. She talked to us all about that last week.

    12/6/2019 10:03:43 AM

    Prelim action is set to begin. Find out how you can watch it all live.

    12/6/2019 10:02:36 AM

    Both athletes are undefeated, but someone’s “0” has got to go!

    12/6/2019 10:02:25 AM

    The prelims will get underway with a flyweight bout between Sovannahry “The Sweet Savage” Em and Rayane Bastos!

    12/6/2019 10:01:09 AM

    Don’t forget to set your fantasy line-up for ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS.

     

    Download the ONE Super App and make your picks!

    12/6/2019 9:46:15 AM
    Who is ready for some knockouts?
     
    You may see 10 of these knockout artists deliver another striking finish tonight!
     
    12/6/2019 9:43:25 AM

    Either Alaverdi Ramazanov or Zhang Chenglong will leave the Malaysian capital with the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title when the two meet in the co-main event. 

     

    Also, there is more history in the making here. Ramazanov could become the first Russian to hold ONE Super Series gold, while Zhang could become the first Chinese athlete to wear ONE Super Series gold.

     

    Ramazanov told us his plan to win, but so has Zhang.

    12/6/2019 9:31:31 AM

    Sam-A Gaiyanghadao will battle "Golden Boy" Wang Junguang for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship in the main event. 

     

    For Sam-A, this is a chance to make history. Not only could he become the first person to hold the belt, but he could become the first two-division and two-sport ONE Super Series World Champion.

     

    The Thai legend revealed his plan to ONE and you can read it here.  As for Wang, he told us his key to victory will be setting a fast pace. Check that out, too.

    12/6/2019 9:15:31 AM
    Wondering what our athletes experienced these past few days? Then watch our Event Week Vlog and catch up! 
     
    12/6/2019 9:09:02 AM

    This is your one-hour warning as ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS is just 60 minutes away from the first bout of the evening!

     

    Stay right here on the live blog for articles, polls, and videos surrounding tonight’s competitors!

    12/6/2019 9:04:31 AM
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