3 Thunderous Knockouts From Myanmar’s Heroic Strikers

ONE Championship is bringing one of its greatest cards yet to The Golden Land.

The world’s largest martial arts organization will return to the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium for ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS on Friday, 26 October.

In the main event, two-division ONE World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang will defend his ONE Middleweight World Title against undefeated challenger Mohammad “O Lutador” Karaki – and both men are well-known for their finishing ability.

The rest of the action-packed bill is stacked with exciting athletes who have demonstrated their stopping power with spectacular striking.

As we build up to what is sure to be another memorable night in Yangon, take a look back at three thunderous knockouts from the local stars who will be competing at the show.

Aung La N Sang’s Uppercut

Aung La N Sang’s toe-to-toe battle with Ken Hasegawa at the aptly-titled ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR in June was recently named as the greatest bout in ONE Championship history.

The pair engaged in a breathtaking back-and-forth World Championship contest that culminated in the fifth and final round.

With both men looking to land a decisive blow, Aung La N Sang executed a leg sweep that sent his Japanese rival crashing to the canvas. It knocked the wind out of the already fatigued challenger, and when the bout returned to the feet, the reigning champion took full advantage of his exhausted opponent.

Roared on by a raucous crowd at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium, “The Burmese Python” somehow found the energy to throw a Superman punch, followed by a huge knee and a ramrod right jab. Then, after landing some body shots in the clinch, he stunned Hasegawa with a perfectly-timed cross.

The Japanese athlete tiredly moved forward with his head down, which allowed Aung La N Sang to pop him with the bout-ending right uppercut. The strike instantly knocked out Hasegawa, capping off a successful first title defense of the ONE Middleweight World Title for the Myanmar icon.

Phoe Thaw’s Push Kick

Phoe “Bushido” Thaw has five sensational first-round TKO victories to his name, and his eye-opening knockout at ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD in February was his most impressive win yet.

It was clear Cambodia’s Sor Sey was cautious of the Myanmar featherweight’s height and reach advantage, so he decided to call his opponent forward in a bid to initiate striking exchanges at close-quarters.

That plan backfired, however, as Phoe Thaw showcased his formidable stand-up skills, landing cleanly with big punches and knees in the bout’s opening moments as he closed the distance. He quickly established his dominance at any range.

After a stiff left jab disrupted Sor Sey’s strikes, “Bushido” followed up with a spectacular front kick to the chin, which instantly knocked out his Cambodian rival.

The Yangon hero will put his flawless record on the line at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS when he takes on Malaysian sensation Keanu Subba.

Mite Yine’s Explosive Debut

Mite Yine made his professional mixed martial arts debut against a familiar rival on the undercard ofONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR.

The two-time lethwei Gold Belt Champion squared off against Saw Darwait, who he previously knocked out in under the rules of Myanmar’s national sport.

History would repeat itself under mixed martial arts regulations, but first, Mite Yine was forced to overcome some adversity when he was taken down in the opening seconds of the flyweight tilt.

Despite being mounted and having his back pinned to the canvas, he successfully executed a sweep and wound up in his opponent’s guard. Once he established top position, the 28-year-old postured up and rained down punches.

Saw Darwait tried to defend from his back – he attempted to grab a heel hook, and then tried to use his legs to push away – but Mite Yine remained composed. He moved clear of danger, threw his rival’s legs to the side, and continued his ground and pound attack until the referee stopped the contest at 2:48 of the opening frame.

At ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, he meets fellow two-time Gold Belt Champion Ye Thway Ne in a strawweight battle.