ONE Championship ONE Championship The sold-out Impact Arena was deafening from start to finish as ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II rocked Bangkok, Thailandlucky time, with all 12 matchups producing something truly remarkable.
January 24 is now a date that will be long remembered for momentous action across Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, and submission grappling.
But while the memories persist, the results also set up the future. Let’s look at what ONE 170 delivered with six of the biggest takeaways from a standard-setting event.
Tawanchai Silences Critics With Show-Stopping World Title DefenseTawanchai PK Saenchai was honest in admitting that his 2024 was filled with disappointment and that he was looking for answers that would right the ship.
At ONE 170, his scintillating ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title defense against ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon was a staggering proclamation that he had found the solutions.
Tawanchai’s boxing combinations touched Superbon’s chin like a bolt of lightning to put him on rubber legs. The challenger may have been too tough for his own good – because meeting the referee’s count only meant more punches were coming his way.
Ultimately, the second-round TKO win for Tawanchai was not only a return to his dominant form, but it also set up a potential challenge of Superbon for the chance to become a two-sport king.
The hurdles that plagued Tawanchai in 2024 have been cleared, setting the stage for a bid at history this year. In short, he’s back.
Fabricio Andrade Makes Point In MMA ReturnThe more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that seems to be the case in the bantamweight MMA decision.
At ONE 170, Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade hit replay on his ONE 158 finish of “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il to defend the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Championship with another crippling body blow.
The only difference in the rematch was that Andrade’s sniper-like left hook completed the TKO in just 42 seconds – 20 seconds faster than in the original meeting.
The 27-year-old looked refreshed after his time away to heal nagging injuries and refocus on improving his all-around skill set. Andrade stated he wants to be an active defending World Champion in 2025, and his dominant win was the ideal start.
“Wonder Boy’s” eighth career win by stoppage proved again that his finishing abilities can happen at any moment, reaffirming his status as the best bantamweight MMA athlete on the planet.
Nabil Anane Seizes The MomentThai-Algerian phenom Nabil Anane had been steadily rising in the bantamweight Muay Thai division, but an unexpected opportunity led to an emphatic and shocking ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title win over Nico “King of the North” Carrillo.
In a true star-making showcase, the 20-year-old showed why you must seize every big chance that comes your way.
fruit machineUsing his staggering height and reach, the 6-foot-4 Anane sent a blistering right hand crashing into Carrillo’s chin for the first knockdown. Although the Scottish slugger stood back up to meet the referee’s count, he was still trying to clear the cobwebs.
Anane then blitzed “King of the North” for the final two knockdowns to take the interim crown in a jaw-dropping performance.
In the process, he set up a rematch for the undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang against the only man to beat him in ONE – reigning divisional king Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Bampara Kouyate Makes Case For World Title BidBampara “Bambi Firelek” Kouyate proved that his TKO of Luke Lessei at ONE Fight Night 23 was no fluke with a stunning first-round destruction of “Smokin” Jo Nattawut.
Kouyate’s length and precision took control of the action with 1:03 remaining in the opening frame. After catching a kick from Nattawut, “Bambi Firelek” sent a missile straight down the pipe to flatten Nattawut for the first of three knockdowns.
After the next two were complete, Kouyate’s place among the elite was affirmed with the TKO win – something even Tawancahai couldn’t accomplish in two fights against Nattawut.
Entering as the #4-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender and breezing past #2-ranked Nattawut will undoubtedly place Kouyate near the top of the ladder. A clear message was sent to Tawanchai that the French-Malian dynamo is coming for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.
Pool A will consist of the defending champion Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB – Indian Railways), along with Indian Army – Red, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Hockey Maharastra and Hockey Unit Of Tamil Nadu (HUTN).
Meanwhile, South Korea were knocked out by the defending champions, India, with a 1-4 defeat in the semi-final. In their pool stage encounter, South Korea had previously played to a 2-2 draw against their next opponent, Pakistan.
Estupinan Twins Mirror Each Other With Thrilling WinsBrothers Johan Esupinan and Jordan Estupinan shared not one – but two – special moments on Friday. Twin magic was on full display at ONE 170, as both men won entertaining flyweight Muay Thai wars against Johan Ghazali and Freddie Haggerty, respectively.
Jordan set the tone for the entire event with a unanimous decision win in the evening’s first bout. His debut mimicked the same entertaining style and furious pace that his brother has displayed since arriving in ONE.
For Johan, his duel with Ghazali elevated him to the next level of the talent-rich division. The Colombian rallied back from an early knockdown and touched up his 18-year-old opponent brilliantly throughout the match.
Both Estupinans – each nicknamed “Panda Kick” – still own undefeated professional records and appear poised to make massive waves on the global stage of martial arts.
Marcelo Garcia Inspires The World In Long-Awaited ReturnBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu GOAT Marcelo Garcia ended his 14-year hiatus from competition to secure an impressive submission victory over Masakazu Imanari in their openweight submission grappling contest – marking the triumphant return of a true martial arts icon.
The victory was more than just another notch in the win column for the Brazilian; it was an inspirational moment for fans around the world.
The 42-year-old’s incredible return – after overcoming a battle with stomach cancer – showed everybody what can be achieved by following their dreams and never backing down from tough obstacles.
Adding to the emotional moment, Garcia’s children watched him compete in person for the very first time as he provided a shining example of the enduring human spirit.
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