A new ONE Welterweight World Champion will be crowned in Jakarta, Indonesia this weekend, asZebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam (10-4) and Tyler McGuire (11-0) square off for the vacant belt.
The main event contest at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM on Saturday, 17 November at the Stadium Istora pits the Swede against the American in a classic clash of styles.
A striker will meet a wrestler, but there is so much more to this encounter, and these two men.
Here are four things you should be looking out for when the opening bell rings and fans will be treated to a feast of elite-level mixed martial arts.
#1 A Swedish Striking Assault
Former title contender Kadestam comes from a Muay Thai background and was a WBC Muay Thai World Champion before he made the switch to mixed martial arts.
He has been able to transition his skills exceptionally well to the cage. His last bout against Agilan “Alligator” Thani showed he can use every element of the art of eight limbs to achieve stunning victories.
The 28-year-old has an 80 percent knockout ratio, and both of his wins in The Home Of Martial Arts have come via strikes.
McGuire will be well aware of Kadestam’s striking arsenal, and that the Stockholm battler can overcome almost any obstacle to impose his will.
Both of his victories in The Home Of Martial Arts have come against grappling specialists who have not been able to hold him down and stop his attack.
#2 McGuire’s Grappling Dominance
McGuire is yet to taste defeat in his 11-bout professional career, and he has submitted six of his opponents.
When the 32-year-old has not been able to force his opponent to tap out, he has dominated on the ground to win decisions via a wide margin.
Once the bout is on the canvas, the man from Spokane, Washington has a smothering top control and powerful repertoire of ground and pound to draw on, meaning even the most experienced of his rivals struggle to respond.
His ONE debut against experienced BJJ black belt Luis “Sapo” Santos is a great example, as he repeatedly planted the Brazilian on the mat to nullify his powerful striking and dangerous submissions.
#3 A Finish Within Five Rounds
For every martial artist, the best-case scenario when they step into the cage is a decisive victory inside the distance. At the top level, that job becomes harder, but both Kadestam and McGuire have shown an extraordinary ability to get the job done early.
Kadestam has a 90 percent finishing rate and he has shown a rare ability to end things early or late. Five of his wins have come in the opening round, but both of his ONE triumphs have come in the final frame.
McGuire has a 73 percent finishing rate, including six submissions and eight first-round stoppages.
In 21 combined victories, they have needed the judges’ scorecards just four times.
With 25 minutes of potential combat in the World Title five-rounder, there is ample time for both men to end proceedings with strikes or by forcing their rival to tap.
#4 Expect The Unexpected
The title hopefuls both have their specialties, but to overlook their broadening skill sets would be a big mistake.
Kadestam showed incredible grappling resilience against Santos before he came back to knock him out on the ground, and his takedown defense was supreme against Thani.
“I have learned many lessons since my loss for the title a year ago. Now I have come out as a much improved martial artist,” he says.
McGuire showed a range of creative kickboxing in his ONE debut between periods of grappling dominance, with a range of leaping and spinning strikes.
“I know he thinks I can’t hurt him with my striking, but my striking is underrated. Let’s see,” he adds.
Both of these warriors are committed to becoming world-class in every facet of the game, and they continue to improve across all disciplines.
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