4 Striking Performances From The Stars Of ONE: HEART OF THE LION

Since it launched in April, ONE Super Series has thrilled fans with the best of stand-up martial arts.

At ONE: HEART OF THE LION, that trend looks set to continue. 

This incredible event, which is topped by a pair of World Champion versus World Champion mixed martial arts bouts, will also feature a handful of high-octane battles in kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Before the ONE Super Series warriors enter the Singapore Indoor Stadium for their respective matches on Friday, 9 November, check out some of their most exciting wins from the all-striking league.

Giorgio Petrosyan Beats Jo Nattawut

Few names carry more respect in the martial arts world than Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan (97-2-2, 1 NC).

The Armenian-Italian striking wizard has long stood out as one of the world’s best kickboxers, and he showed why during his debut in the world’s largest martial arts organization at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR in April.

On that night in Manila, Philippines, the two-time K-1 World Max Champion was as brilliant as ever in his approach against “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut.

He also surprised many of his followers with his aggression, as he pressed forward to land thunderous hooks and roundhouse kicks.

While Nattawut put forth an admirable effort, Petrosyan’s combination of speed and power earned him a clear-cut unanimous decision victory.

“The Doctor” will look for a similarly impressive performance at ONE: HEART OF THE LION when he battles another Thai hero – Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy (36-17).

Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy Defeats Samy Sana

In June, at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR, Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy made his first walk to the ONE cage.

He put on a counterstriking master class in his highly anticipated promotional debut against France’s Samy “AK47” Sana.

The Frenchman was the aggressor through much of the contest, but his approach played right into Sorgraw’s hands.

Whenever Sana attacked, the Thai always seemed to have an answer, slipping out of danger and responding with blistering counterstrikes.

Although the French striker was able to drop Sorgraw in the third round, this was his only real moment of success in an otherwise slick performance from the Thai, who was awarded the win by unanimous decision.

On 9 November, Sorgraw will look for another massive victory at the expense Petrosyan.

Jo Nattawut Knocks Out Yohann Fairtex Drai

“Smokin’” Jo Nattawut (67-7-2) was keen notch his first ONE Super Series win at ONE: PURSUIT OF POWER in July.

Despite being up against a product of the famed Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand, he claimed victory in jaw-dropping fashion.

As the first round of his Muay Thai featherweight showdown with Yohann Fairtex Drai reached the two-minute mark, Nattawut scored his first knockdown with a crisp right hand.

From there, he barely gave his French rival a chance to recover. WIth 10 seconds remaining, he turned up the heat on his ailing opponent, firing off straight shots and hooks until Drai collapsed to the canvas.

The referee waved off the action with a single second remaining in the round.

With this highlight-reel knockout victory, Nattawut set himself up for bigger opportunities in The Home Of Martial Arts, beginning with a battle against Scotland’s George Mann (31-5) in Singapore.

Panicos Yusuf Outfoxes Han Zi Hao

Although Cypriot striker Panicos Yusuf (37-6) missed a chance to join ONE’s mixed martial arts roster through Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series, he was later invited to test his mettle in the organization under Muay Thai rules.

As a result, ONE Super Series gained an athlete with outstanding skills, which he displayed against Top King Muay Thai World Champion Han Zi Hao at ONE: REIGN OF KINGS July.

Throughout this bout, China’s Han was more aggressive, but Yusuf responded by keeping his foe at bay with jabs and powerful counter kicks.

Yusuf did not shy away from exchanging with his opponent, however, as he also met his adversary in the center of the cage to trade heavy artillery.

Although the Cypriot was pushed hard in the final round, he had dominated the majority of the contest and was awarded the unanimous decision.

He will look to build on the momentum of this win at the Singapore Indoor Stadium when he battles “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym (195-40-4).