Two-division ONE world champion Reinier De Ridder cemented his status as the promotion’s premier grappling talent in the heavier weight classes with a dominant display against welterweight champion Kiamrian Abbasov at ONE: Full Circle.
De Ridder’s middleweight title was on the line as the two champions faced off in the main event, but the difference in size, and in grappling acumen, was an almighty chasm as “The Dutch Knight” totally overpowered Abbasov through two rounds, then finished his man early in the third with an arm-triangle choke to put the seal on arguably his most impressive display in the ONE Championship circle.
“I got some plans for this year. We had some slow years. All of us had some slow years. Now it’s time to come back with a vengeance.
“In three weeks, ONE X, Andre Galvao, let’s find out who the best grappler is around these parts! Let’s go! I’ll choke you out!
“Then, for the rest of the year, there’s some other stuff going on.
“Come on. I beat the welterweight champ. I beat the middleweight champ. I beat the light heavyweight champ. What’s next? Heavyweight, guys, come on! Let me fight Malykhin. Let me fight Bhullar in the same night. I’ll finish these guys in the same night. Come on!”
Kryklia demolishes another challenger
In the co-main event, six-foot-six light-heavyweight kickboxing champion Roman Kryklia produced another hugely impressive performance as he retained his title with ease.
Kryklia knocked out Murat Aygun after twice dropping the heavy-handed Turk midway through the opening round to continue his perfect run in ONE Championship.
“It was predictable for me. I waited for his pressure,” he said after his win.
“My coach gives me a school of intelligent kickboxing, so I just want to show you beautiful kickboxing.”
He then revealed his plan to move up to heavyweight in a bid to become a two-division ONE kickboxing world champion.
“Next for me (is) maybe the heavyweight division,” he continued.
“If it is possible, I want to have two belts. That is my dream now.”
Bigdash takes Aung La trilogy
Russian former middleweight champion Vitaly Bigdash ground out a hard-won decision against old foe Aung La N Sang in their eagerly-awaited trilogy bout.
Bigdash nullified N Sang’s power by stepping into close quarters and enjoying repeated success with his takedowns throughout the bout as he earned a unanimous decision from the three judges at circleside.
“The trilogy has come to an end today, but I believe I have won all three fights. So, 3-0,” he said, through a translator, after his victory.
“But Aung La is an amazing fighter, and I respect him very much.”
He then switched to English to declare his next move as he set his sights on middleweight champion De Ridder.
“De Ridder, you’re next. I’m breaking your face. I’m breaking your nose. Boom! You’re next!” he said.
Cameras also showed a great moment of respect between Bigdash and N Sang, with the Russian showing his class in victory as he said he’d like to train with his old rival in the future.
Andrade impresses again
In the opening bout of the main card, surging Brazilian bantamweight contender Fabricio Andrade needed just 97 seconds to demolish Filipino striker Jeremy Pacatiw with a perfectly-placed knee to the body.
Andrade celebrated wildly after his latest victory as he continued his undefeated run in ONE Championship. And, during his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, he delivered a big statement to the rest of the ONE bantamweight division.
“Everybody who trains with me knows how dangerous I am,” he said after his victory.
“I am the uncrowned king and everybody knows it!”
ONE: Full Circle – Official Results
Main Card
- Reinier De Ridder def. Kiamrian Abbasov via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 0:57 (retains middleweight title)
- Roman Kryklia def. Murat Aygun via knockout – Round 1, 2:32 (retains light heavyweight kickboxing title)
- Vitaly Bigdash def. Aung La N Sang via unanimous decision
- Tayfun Ozcan def. Enriko Kehl via unanimous decision (kickboxing bout)
- Guto Inocente def. Bruno Susano via TKO – Round 2, 2:22 (kickboxing bout)
- Fabricio Andrade def. Jeremy Pacatiw via knockout (knee to the body) – Round 1, 1:37
Preliminary Card
- Zebaztian Kadestam def. Valmir Da Silva via knockout – Round 1, 1:26
- Vladimir Kuzmin def. Chris Shaw via unanimous decision (Muay Thai bout)
- Smilla Sundell def. Diandra Martin via TKO – Round 3, 1:35 (Muay Thai bout)
- Daniyal Zainalov def. Yuri Simoes via split decision
- Daniel Puertas def. Jiduo Yibu via split decision (kickboxing bout)
- Drex Zamboanga def. Rahul Raju via knockout – Round 1, 1:05
