South African flyweight Willie van Rooyen will make his promotional debut against Avazbek Kholmirzaev at ONE Fight Night 37 on Friday, November 7, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Van Rooyen brings a perfect 7-0 professional record to ONE Championship, having established himself as one of Africa's most exciting young prospects since turning professional in 2023. The 23-year-old Pretoria native has secured four consecutive stoppage victories, including two statement performances in 2025.
The South African captured the EFC Flyweight Title in May with a 37-second knockout via straight right hand before successfully defending the championship three months later with a rear-naked choke submission. Van Rooyen trains under Nico Mothata at A-Team Stars and has developed a well-rounded skill set built around his world-class kickboxing foundation.
The finishing ability that made him a champion in Africa will be immediately tested against an opponent who brings similar stopping power.
Kholmirzaev made his name through the ONE Friday Fights series, beginning his promotional run in February 2024 with three consecutive highlight-reel finishes. The 24-year-old Uzbek fighter suffered a decision loss in September 2024 but rebounded with three more stoppage victories.
His breakthrough performance came in July when he dominated former two-time DEEP Flyweight Champion Tatsumitsu Wada en route to a unanimous decision victory. That performance earned Kholmirzaev a six-figure contract and promotion to ONE's global roster.
The Uzbek enters with a 13-2 career record and 92 percent finishing rate, making his U.S. primetime debut an opportunity to establish himself among the division's emerging contenders.
The matchup features two young fighters seeking to make immediate impacts on the global stage. Van Rooyen's well-rounded approach built on kickboxing fundamentals faces Kholmirzaev's aggressive finishing style honed through the competitive ONE Friday Fights series.
Both fighters have demonstrated the ability to end contests decisively across their careers, suggesting the judges may not be needed for their encounter.
