The canvas was set, the lights were bright, and the anticipation was palpable. Another installment of ONE Friday Fights descended upon Bangkok, promising high-octane action. What it delivered, however, was a masterclass in unpredictability, leaving fans simultaneously thrilled, frustrated, and undeniably entertained. From controversial calls to premature endings, ONE Friday Fights 126 was anything but ordinary.
The Main Event Maelstrom: Anane vs. Ennahachi
The much-hyped headliner between former flyweight kickboxing champion Ilias Ennahachi and bantamweight Muay Thai king Nabil Anane was poised to be a classic. Expectations were high, stakes even higher. Yet, the bout concluded not with a decisive knockout or a judges` verdict, but with a collective groan as an accidental low blow in the third round forced a “no contest.”
Anane, it must be said, started with a bang. He sent Ennahachi to the canvas with a straight right in the first round. While the force was undeniable, the legitimacy of the knockdown itself became a talking point, echoing broader concerns about the referee`s judgment throughout the night. Anane continued his aggressive campaign, unleashing powerful body kicks and dynamic spinning attacks, maintaining a relentless pace. But fate, as it often does in combat sports, intervened abruptly. The accidental foul brought an unsatisfying end to what promised to be a thrilling encounter, leaving both fighters, and the audience, with a distinct feeling of unfinished business. Such is the capricious nature of the fight game; one moment of misdirection, and the narrative shifts entirely.
Upset Victories and Gritty Performances
While the main event left a void, the undercard certainly did its best to fill it with spectacle and genuine grit.
Liu Mengyang`s Dominance Over Shadow
In the co-main event, Liu Mengyang delivered an emphatic performance, securing a unanimous decision victory over the third-ranked Muay Thai fighter, Shadow. From the opening bell, Liu was a force of nature, relentlessly pressing forward, forcing Shadow into brutal close-range exchanges. Despite Shadow`s valiant efforts to counter with sharp combinations and potent kicks, it was Liu`s sheer toughness and unwavering pressure that ultimately paid dividends. A decisive left hook knockdown cemented his control, sealing an impressive upset win that solidified his presence in the featherweight division.
Adam`s Teenage Triumph Against a K-1 Veteran
The night also showcased the raw potential of youth, as 17-year-old Adam faced off against the seasoned former K-1 champion Toma Kuroda. It was a baptism by fire, and Adam passed with flying colors. The young Thai fighter skillfully dictated the pace with precise kicks and consistent jabs, keeping the debuting Kuroda on the defensive. While Kuroda demonstrated flashes of his championship pedigree with well-timed combinations, Adam`s offensive output carried a palpable sense of urgency and power, earning him a hard-fought decision victory. A promising sign for the future of Muay Thai.
Rematch Rendition: Botelho vs. Peimian`s Bloody Affair
Perhaps the most visceral drama unfolded in the rematch between Zhang Peimian and Rui Botelho. This was not merely a fight; it was a brawl steeped in bad blood, quickly spiraling into a chaotic exchange punctuated by multiple fouls and, once again, controversial officiating. Zhang maintained aggressive pressure, but Botelho, with a surge of late-fight intensity, landed a monstrous knee in the third round that left Zhang with a significant laceration to his forehead. The sheer visual impact of the injury proved pivotal for the judges, who ultimately awarded Botelho a split-decision victory in a contest that felt less like sport and more like a gladiatorial struggle.
The Enduring Allure of Unpredictability
ONE Friday Fights 126 will be remembered not just for its results, but for its sheer unpredictability. It was a night that underscored the brutal, beautiful, and sometimes bewildering essence of combat sports. From controversial knockdowns to fights ending prematurely, and from underdog triumphs to bloody rematches, Bangkok once again served as a vibrant stage where narratives are written and rewritten in real-time, leaving us eager for the next chapter. The fight game, it seems, always finds a way to keep us on the edge of our seats, even when the ending isn`t quite what we expected.
Murray Blackwood