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ONE 162 | 5 takeaways and full results

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As always ONE deliver the goods, with another action packed event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the first of a 2 event special comes to an end. It wouldn’t be a ONE event without some exciting performances and contests to relive, and so with that being said, here are my 5 key takeaways from ONE 162.

Eko Roni Saputra is a legit threat at flyweight

Malaysia’s Saputra (7-1) may be relatively unknown to the average MMA fan, but make no mistake, this man is a killer. This is a man who’s ceiling isn’t visible yet, he continues to improve every single fight, continues to finish everyone in the first round and it’s genuinely hard to say how far he will go. Each time he’s given an opponent we think may have a chance of causing him some issues, he’s yet again in and out within 5 minutes ready for his next opponent. Give this guy a consistent schedule like he asks for and give him a top 5 flyweight, then his talent can really be gauged, but right now he looks unstoppable. Everyone in the flyweight top 5 is tremendously dangerous in someway or another, if he can dispatch of one of those guys in the same fashion he has steamrolled his previous opponents, his future looks incredibly bright.

Jimmy Vienot is undoubtably worthy of another crack at gold

For a while Vienot (52-22) has been one of the most talented strikers on the planet and ever since joining ONE that has just been reaffirmed. Although he may have lost his ONE debut against Petchmorakot for the belt, the majority of viewers believed he did enough to win the fight. Today in his bout against Niclas Larsen (47-12), another former title challenger, Vienot went out and put on a striking clinic, always looking in control and really picking Larsen apart for 3 rounds while looking composed and as sharp as ever. He was applying the pressure, landing those crisp hands and as elegant as ever evading the majority of replies Larsen had offer, only to zip back in and crack him with a few more shots. No tool was abandoned and ever weapon had a purpose, this is a man who has an incredible grasp on the art of striking and in recent years his results speak for themselves and at 27, you can’t help but think the best is yet to come. Now with Petchmorakot parting ways with ONE and Tawanchai emerging as the new champion, it makes sense Jimmy is given another crack at gold after the stellar performances he has delivered.

Constantin Rusu is a dark horse at lightweight

He may not be the most technical and he may not be the prettiest fighter to watch but man is he effective. A huge unanimous decision victory over Islam Murtazaev (20-6) will surely move Rusu up a few notches in the conversation to take on lightweight kickboxing champ Regian Eersel next. While many thought Murtazaev would have too much for him, Rusu (23-4) constantly had his foot on the gas, stayed in Islam’s face and constantly slung some leather to keep him on the defensive, paired with this, the off beat kicks to elongate his combinations prevented an immediate retaliation and really kept Murtazaev back peddling. That’s 2-0 for Rusu now in ONE, the first of which being an impressive victory over Marouan Toutouh back June. Given the lack of competitors at lightweight, a title shot may be inbound for Rusu, failing this I think a tear up with Arian Sadikovic would be a certain crowd pleaser.

Reece Mclaren has evolved under the guidance of John Wayne Parr

Windson Ramos (5-2) is unable to come out for the 3rd round after a 2 round striking clinic was forced upon him by Mclaren (16-8). The Aussie has seemingly elevated his game to new levels, most noticably in his striking after working with Muay Thai icon John Wayne Parr. The composure, the ability to command the centre of the circle, and the beautiful shot selection to pick the Brazilian apart was a thing of beauty. Instead of the old, gritty Mclaren we saw a much more polished version, he was patient and he was dangerous, the boxing was crisp, the body shots were few yet extremely effective and the leg kicks were the nail in the coffin to force the withdrawal by his opponent. A commanding jab paved the way for the right hand which was zipping down the barrel with the pace and power of his vehicular namesake. With his new found striking improvements as well and the grappling base he has to fall back on, Mclaren may very well be primed to build off this 2 fight win streak and turn the momentum into a run at gold.

Di Bella and Peiman are both incredible talents, Strawweight will be fun

Jonathan Di Bella (11-0) wins the inaugural ONE Strawweight kickboxing title, taking out Zhang Peiman (16-2-1) via unanimous decision in an incredible contest. The Italian Canadian signed with ONE over 2 years ago and only just made his debut today, making good of a title opportunity against one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. An absolute war, these guys just threw everything at each other for 5 rounds, with nothing to seperate the two, Di Bella puts Zhang down out of no where in the 5th with a vicious head kick to swing the fight in his favour. Credit to both men, a blockbuster of a main event, Zhang at just 19 years old is a ridiculous talent still, while the same can be said for Di Bella, with the ability of these guys and the pace they both fight at, with these two men at the helm of this division, you just know its going to be fun. I speak for most fight fans when I say I could watch those guys fight 20 times and not get bored. Two incredible young talents ready to spearhead a division, let the fun begin. A huge event with an incredible conclusion.

Full Results:

Jonathan Di Bella def Zhang Peiman via unanimous decision

Reece Mclaren def Windson Ramos via round 2 retirement

Constantin Rusu def Islam Murtazaev via unanimous decision

Gustavo Balart def Alex Silva via split decision

Jimmy Vienot def Niclas Larsen via unanimous decision

Eko Roni Saputra def Yodkaikaew Fairtex via round 1 heel hook

Artem Belakh def Leandro Issa via unanimous decision

Denis Puric def Tagir Khalilov via unanimous decision

Ruslan Emilbek Uulu def Ben Wilhelm via round 1 rear naked choke