Top 6 Knockouts From ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST’s Superstar Strikers

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Expect to see some knockouts at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST because the card is stacked with some of the most exciting strikers in The Home Of Martial Arts.

Two-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex tops the bill in a ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title contest against Alma Juniku in Shanghai, China, and that will be supported by many more ONE Super Series battles between athletes who can end things in a second thanks to their 4-ounce gloves.

For a taste of what could be in store, check out these six finishes from some of the stars set for action on Saturday, 15 June at the Baoshan Arena.

#1 Silva’s Counter KO Blow

Anderson “Braddock” Silva made his ONE debut in style when he knocked out Andre “The Giant” Meunier after just 74 seconds.

At ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, Meunier came at his rival aggressively, but the man from Sao Paulo, Brazil remained calm and looked for the openings to fire back with devastating effect.

When “The Giant” jumped in with a looping left hook, “Braddock” simply stepped back out of the way and then delivered a single chopping overhand right to the temple that put his rival down and out.

#2 Khbabez Swarms On El Bouni

When Tarik “The Tank” Khbabez met Ibrahim “Mr. Cool” El Bouni in a battle of Dutch-Moroccan heavy hitters, it was Khbabez’s relentless boxing output that separated the pair.

“The Tank” piled on the pressure from the opening round at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, and though “Mr. Cool” did his best to evade and counter, he could not stop the onslaught. By the final frame, he was worn down and primed for the finish. 

After he answered an attempted knee with a stinging left hook, the two-time SUPERKOMBAT Heavyweight World Champion charged El Bouni down and backed him to the fence to start the finishing salvo.

A left uppercut was followed by a pair of left hooks, and then a right straight. El Bouni had no answer for the punishing offensive, and the referee had no choice but to jump in and save him.

Khbabez will return to action in Shanghai against Silva in a light heavyweight kickboxing bout that could find a contender for the division’s inaugural World Title.

#3 Han’s Right Hand Shuts Down Jakiri

Han Zi Hao scored one of the most memorable ONE Super Series knockouts to date when his cannon of a right hand ended Ryan “The Filipino Assassin” Jakiri’s night at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS.

Han first took aim at Jakiri’s midsection with a left kick, but he was quick to catch it and return fire with a left hook counter. However, it wasn’t accurate enough, and when it skidded off the top of the Mad Muay Thai Gym representative’s head, the Filipino left himself wide open.

The Chinese athlete’s aim was true – his thunderous right hand came over the top and connected flush on his rival’s jaw. Even if he had not worn 4-ounce gloves, it was so accurate and powerful, it probably would have sent Jakiri crashing onto the canvas just the same.  

Han will take aim at another finish when he takes on Andrew “Maddog Fairtex” Miller in front of his compatriots in Shanghai.

#4 Matsushima Cracks Gafurov’s Jaw

Koyomi “Moushigo” Matsushima had a daunting task when he entered The Home Of Martial Arts against former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov, but he rose to the challenge with a stunning stoppage.

At the halfway point of the first round at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES, Gafurov tried to close the distance when he lunged in behind an inside low kick, but he dropped his left hand and exposed his chin.

The Japanese athlete stepped back into a southpaw stance, and as “Cobra” rushed in, “Moushigo” threw a lead hook that crunched into his rival’s jaw.

Gafurov dropped to the canvas, and Matsushima gave him no chance to recover as he rained down a barrage of shots to secure the victory.

#5 Kwon’s Straight Right Strikes Again

“Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il needed just 19 seconds to take out the seasoned veteran Eric “The Natural” Kelly at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR.

Just like in his previous win against Anthony Engelen, the South Korean sensation used his impeccable timing to step in with a straight right to strike the decisive blow. Just as Kelly looked to fire off a left hook, the Filipino walked onto the shot and felt the brunt of it on his chin, which caused him to stumble back and fall to the deck.

“Pretty Boy” saw that his opponent was hurt, and he immediately swarmed with heavy ground strikes. Some were partially blocked, but then a quick succession of hammerfists found their mark and knocked “The Natural” unconscious.

It was a stunning win for Kwon, who will go up against fellow knockout artist Matsushima in a featherweight match on 15 June.

#6 Phoe Thaw’s Sensational Front Kick

Phoe “Bushido” Thaw’s stunning first-round finish of Sor Sey at ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD is always worth revisiting – it was one of the finest of 2018, or any year in ONE Championship.

The Myanmar hero began by using his reach advantage and peppered his rival with strikes from the outside. The Cambodian Kun Khmer stylist threw a one-two combination at Phoe Thaw but he anticipated this aggression and beat his rival to the punch with a sharp jab inside the right hand to move him backward.

With his foe up against the cage, “Bushido” stepped through with a ferocious right push kick to the jaw that felled the Cambodian Top Team representative. There was no need for any follow-up punches – Sor Sey was done.

Phoe Thaw will be back in action against Victorio “Indra” Senduk next month.

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