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There’s been some reshuffling of the order of things on ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, but it’s still going to be one hell of a fight card on March 24 inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Most fans, of course, are looking forward to witnessing some of the promotion’s biggest heroes, including Superlek Kiatmoo9, Janet Todd, and Ham Seo Hee, among others.
Then again, ONE Fight Night 8 also has under-the-radar fighters who might just steal the show. The promotion, of course, gives all martial artists a platform to shine to the best of their abilities on the global stage.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three fighters who might just take your breath away this coming Friday.
ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video will air live in US primetime and is free for all existing Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
#3. Zhang Peimian (strawweight kickboxing)
China has been a growing power in professional combat sports over the years, which even extends to the circle.
Longtime women’s strawweight queen Xiong Jing Nan and featherweight world champion Tang Kai are considered two of the best fighters in the world today. Zhang Peimian was supposed to be the next big thing from China when he fought Jonathan Di Bella for the vacant strawweight kickboxing throne last year.
The 19-year-old, however, ran out of steam in the end, succumbing to a unanimous decision defeat after five rounds.
With gold still in his sights, ‘Fighting Rooster’s road to redemption begins at ONE Fight Night 8 against promotional newcomer Torepchi Dongak.
The bitter taste of defeat probably still lingers for Zhang, but it’s actually the best thing to happen for his budding career.
Now, he’s hungrier than ever before and armed with the lessons he learned from that shortcoming. Plus, he still has youth on his side and his already dangerous striking arsenal will only get sharper in the coming years.
For sure, ‘Fighting Rooster’ wants nothing more than to get his hand raised and will look to do so in the most exciting way possible.
#2. Itsuki Hirata (women’s atomweight MMA)
Speaking of vindication, Itsuki Hirata is on a personal quest to silence all her doubters.
‘Android 18’ has been the subject of criticism for some time now, ever since she failed to make weight for her initial booking with Ham Seo Hee last year. The Japanese star has heard enough and is ready to let her fighting skills do the talking this weekend.
Then again, there’s still a big elephant in the room, considering this match once again takes place at 115 pounds. Can she fulfill her duties on the scales? That question still remains.
However, one thing’s certain: Itsuki has put in all the work behind closed doors to put an end to Ham’s eight-fight winning streak.
The Serra-Longo Fight Team standout has been showing new facets to her ever-evolving game with each circle appearance. Last time out against Lin Heqin, the 23-year-old showcased her improving striking skills, which are slowly catching up to her grappling acumen.
If Itsuki can upset the second-ranked Ham, no doubt she’ll insert her name in the conversation for a possible world title shot.
#1. Allycia Hellen Rodrigues (ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title unification)
A star was born at ONE: A New Breed back in 2020, when a relatively unknown Allycia Hellen Rodrigues dethroned the mighty Stamp Fairtex to become the new atomweight Muay Thai world champion.
Bigger things certainly awaited the Brazilian headhunter, especially after that epic performance in her promotional debut. However, Rodrigues had to take a step back from fighting after the birth of her son.
Almost three years since her circle appearance, Rodrigues’ long-awaited return is just days away.
Her clash with Janet Todd was supposed to take place last December, up until a positive COVID-19 test from the American ruined those plans.
The Phuket Fight Club fighter will look to unleash all those frustrations this Friday against another formidable opponent.
Todd, who’s also the atomweight kickboxing world champion, has assumed the role of interim queen of the division in her absence. While ‘JT’ is considered among the best female strikers in the world today, Rodrigues is out to prove she’s right up there with her.
The 24-year-old turned a lot of heads in her fight against Stamp, rendering the Thai megastar helpless with her ferocious Muay Thai pedigree. Rodrigues’ aggressiveness was backed up by her mastery of “Art of Eight Limbs” and gave fans non-stop action for five full rounds.
Her time away from circle certainly gave her more opportunities to work on her craft and she can’t wait to showcase it to the rest of the world at ONE Fight Night 8.
