Headlined by the mouth-watering flyweight Muay Thai world title fight between Tawanchai and Superbon, there is also no shortage of high class MENA athlete interest.
Here is who you should be looking out for on what could be the card of the year.
Joseph Lasiri puts his title on the line
Moroccan-Italian Lasiri puts his strawweight Muay Thai title on the line Prajanchai – the man he took the title from in May last year.
Lasiri is a master striker, with stunning punches and knees, but will face a rejuvenated Prajanchai who is coming off a three fight win-streak and currently holds the division’s interim title.
This fight will give us an undisputed champion, and given what we know from their first encounter could well be one for the ages.
Meksen seeks interim title
Another MENA fighter with gold on their mind this week is Algeria’s Anissa Meksen.
One of the world’s most feared strikers, she will look to claim the interim atomweight kickboxing crown when she takes on Thailand’s Phetjeeja.
Meksen has built a reputation around a long list of accomplishments including multiple world titles, and is undefeated in her three ONE outings.
Meksen may be 14 years older than her opponent, but that will not faze Phaeteeja who is 4-0 in her ONE career with a huge future ahead of her at just 21-years-old.
Whoever wins this one, will immediately have an eye on unifying the division against current champ Janet Todd.
Anane looks to continue building
Algeria’s Nabil Anane was given a baptism of fire when joining ONE, with a debut encounter with Muay Thai royalty Superlek. Despite that tough start he was able to bounce back and score a brilliant first-round knockout win over Nakrob Fairtex in September.
Recognised as a truly elite Muay Thai practitioner, the 19-year-old will now look to build on that confidence when he takes on Muangthai.
Aminipour want to remain on unbeaten streak
Iran’s Fariyar Aminipour is 4-0 in ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai division and at just 23 is one of the region’s standout prospects for the future.
Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai may well provide his stiffest challenge to date. A two-time Two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, he has five fives under his belt in ONE since June and has not lost in his last three.
ONE Friday Fights 46: Tawanchai vs. Superbon comes live from the famous Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok on Friday December 22. Fight fans in the MENA region can watch on BeINSPORTS from 3.30pm MECCA. For more see ONE Championship’s official YouTube channel and on watch.onefc.com
Source: sportsnewsireland.com