Combat sports fans were treated to an electrifying showcase of martial arts excellence as ONE Championship returned to the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. On Friday, October 16, the organization hosted a blockbuster double-header featuring ONE Friday Fights 175 and The Inner Circle 35, an action-packed card that highlighted elite talent across mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.
The historic venue, long considered the mecca of modern Muay Thai, played host to a series of high-stakes bouts that captivated audiences both locally and globally. For international viewers, the spectacle was broadcast live across multiple platforms. ONE Friday Fights streamed globally and free of charge via YouTube starting at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, allowing millions of fans worldwide to tune into the morning action. Meanwhile, the companion card, The Inner Circle 35, catered to dedicated martial arts enthusiasts through exclusive streaming via the promotion’s subscription-based digital platform.
The event delivered everything combat sports aficionados have come to expect from ONE Championship: blistering pace, technical mastery, and devastating finishes. Across both cards, athletes stepped into the ring aiming to make a lasting impression on the global stage, resulting in a memorable morning of fights defined by dramatic knockouts, hard-fought decisions, and impressive grappling displays.
The headline attractions for The Inner Circle 35 set a lofty standard for the day. In the featured kickboxing bout, Wang Junguang squared off against high-profile star Prajanchai P.K.Saenchai in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats from the opening bell. Both strikers displayed elite-level technique, trading heavy combinations and exhibiting exceptional defensive footwork. When the final bell sounded, it was Wang who edged out the victory, taking a closely contested split decision in what proved to be one of the most technical and competitive encounters of the entire event.
The supporting lineup for The Inner Circle 35 maintained the high momentum. In a thrilling Muay Thai clash, rising star Johan Ghazali faced Diego Paez. Ghazali, known for his relentless aggression and youthful exuberance, put on a striking clinic over the course of the match, ultimately earning a clear-cut unanimous decision victory from the judges. In another compelling Muay Thai encounter, Jaradchai Maxjandee demonstrated superior pacing and accuracy to defeat Ayoub Yassine via unanimous decision.
The action continued with an explosive women’s Muay Thai bout between Olivia Bahsous and Malia Weaver. Bahsous overwhelmed her opponent with a relentless barrage of strikes, securing a dominant technical knockout victory after forcing three official knockdowns in the second round, bringing an abrupt and decisive halt to the contest at the 2:46 mark. Rounding out The Inner Circle 35 card, Face Erawan showcased his tactical prowess against Valerii Strungari, executing his game plan effectively to secure a unanimous decision victory in a hard-fought Muay Thai battle.
Transitioning to the morning’s global broadcast, ONE Friday Fights 175 delivered an equally thrilling sequence of fights that highlighted the incredible depth of talent within the organization’s developmental and international ranks. The card was packed with explosive finishes, particularly in the Muay Thai division, where fighters wasted little time looking for early stoppages.
In the final bout of the ONE Friday Fights 175 main block, Abdessamie Rhenimi delivered a highlight-reel knockout against Lamsing T1.FightAcademy. After a competitive back-and-forth striking battle through the opening frames, Rhenimi uncorked a devastating sequence of punches in the third round, rendering his opponent unable to continue and bringing an official end to the bout at 1:51 of the round.
Earlier in the evening, Mahesuan Aekmuangnon added another stoppage to his resume by overwhelming Bakjo Sitkhunma. Mahesuan’s aggressive forward pressure and sharp combination striking resulted in three separate knockdowns, forcing the referee to wave off the bout via technical knockout at 2:06 of the second round. Similarly, Kampeethewada Sitthikul picked up a definitive victory over Anuar Cisneros. Kampeethewada’s punishing strikes inflicted significant damage, prompting a ringside doctor stoppage at the 3:00 mark of the second round.
The opening segments of the card featured several other standout performances. Slatan Jitmuangnon made quick work of Babak Haghi, ending the bout in the first round with a crushing punch at 2:34. Tepatip Champkhaomootod also secured a striking finish, putting away Chokpreecha P.K.TomTK.Alaiyont with a clean punch at 1:04 of the second round.
While the striking matches provided plenty of fireworks, the mixed martial arts contests on the ONE Friday Fights 175 card offered a different brand of excitement. In a compelling featherweight or bantamweight grappling exchange—depending on the specific weight class parameters—Sanjaya Hutagaol displayed exceptional ground skills. After controlling the action through the early stages, Hutagaol locked in a tight rear-naked choke against Javier Cabrera, forcing the tap at 2:54 of the second round.
In the judges’ decisions, Pichai Mor.Rajabhatkorat outworked Hatthep Sor.Sasiwat over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory in their Muay Thai encounter, while Yuto Shioya utilized a well-rounded mixed martial arts approach to defeat Ashok Bagade via unanimous decision. The lone kickboxing bout of the ONE Friday Fights 175 lineup saw Shosuke Iwanaga deliver a spectacular finish against Yang Guiyao, ending the contest abruptly in the second round at 1:13 courtesy of a thunderous head kick that left the crowd in awe.
With the conclusion of ONE Friday Fights 175 and The Inner Circle 35, ONE Championship once again reaffirmed its status as a premier global destination for combat sports. The event provided a platform for both established veterans and rising prospects to showcase their abilities on a massive international stage, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the promotion’s next installment in Bangkok and beyond.
