Every athlete descending on the Indonesian capital of Jakarta this weekend knows that only victory will take them closer to their goals in ONE Championship.
For some of the warriors stepping into the cage on Saturday, 17 November, a win will push them further up the ladder. For others, the spoils are much more valuable.
From debutants to title challengers, ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM will showcase elite martial artists from every corner of the globe as they put their skills to the test at the Stadium Istora.
The stakes are high for all 28 combatants, with a potential global audience of 1.7 billion watching their every move, as they strive to achieve greatness. This is what is at stake for them.
Welterweight Gold Is Up For Grabs
The vacant ONE Welterweight World Title is on the line in Jakarta. Vying for the coveted strap will be former challenger Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam (10-4), and Tyler McGuire (11-0).
Muay Thai stylist Kadestam has a phenomenal 80 percent knockout ratio, and this includes his victories over Agilan “Alligator” Thani and Luis “Sapo” Santos in the world’s largest martial arts organization. The dangerous Swede can attack with any weapon from the art of eight limbs, at almost any time.
Unbeaten submission specialist McGuire has finished eight of his previous opponents for an impressive 73 percent stoppage rate, which is a big reason why he gets his chance to etch his name into martial arts history in only his second bout in Asia.
Kadestam and McGuire battled their way to the top contender spots with dominant performances against Thani and Santos, respectively, at the same event in July, and now one of them can take the throne as welterweight king.
A Step Up To The Atomweight Elite
ONE Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee has done a perfect job of dispatching every challenger that has come her way – so much so that she has set her eye on strawweight gold, too.
With no clear-cut top contender in the division she reigns over, now is the time for someone else to try and emerge from the shuffle as he campaigns in the weight class above.
Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol (4-3) has won four of her last five contests, and has been ONE’s most prolific competitor in 2018. A fifth win this calendar year could see her stride out in front of the chasing pack.
Her opponent, Angelie “D Explorer” Sabanal (1-0) cannot match her for experience, but if she can build on her stunning debut win against Rika “Tiny Doll” Ishige with a second marquee victory, she will leapfrog “Thathie” and springboard up the ranks.
Whoever has their hand raised will stake a serious claim for a title shot in the not-so-distant future.
A ONE Super Series Score To Settle
Muay Thai legend “Mr. Lightning” Lerdsila Phuket Top Team (187-31-5) and Kun Khmer superstar Sok Thy (221-36-12) will meet for a second time in a rematch of their June bout at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER.
The pair of stand-up athletes battled for three rounds and gave the judges a tough job in separating them, but Lerdsila got the nod by the narrowest of margins.
However, the contest was so close, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced Thy would receive his win bonus and an immediate rematch, which is why they will now do it all over again in Jakarta.
This is great news for fans, because the first bout was a thriller. There should be few complaints about the chance to see them run it back.
For the striking veterans, it is a chance to show whose skill set and style is the most effective once and for all. This time, neither man will want to leave any doubt about who should have their hand raised.
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