ONE: ‘A New Tomorrow’ Preview (Pt. 2)

ONE: “A New Tomorrow” is set for the Impact Arena on Friday (Jan. 10, 2020) and as you would expect from a fight card in Bangkok, it is stacked with Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts.

In the main event, Rodtang Jitmuangnon defends his flyweight Muay Thai title against Jonathan Haggerty in a rematch. Two of the top fighters in the sport today will also be in action with Saengmanee Sathiangym and Muangthai PKSaenchaigym on the card.

MMA interest is provided by a potential strawweight title eliminator between Maira Mazar and Ayaka Miura. The winner of the featherweight fights between Thanh Le and Ryogo Takahashi could also be in contention for a shot at the belt.

Here’s my preview of the last six fights (for part one of our preview click here):

Muay Thai: Liam Harrison vs Mohammed Bin Mahmoud (Bantamweight)

Liam Harrison is always aggressive and that might have cost him in the Petchmorrakot fight when he walked into an elbow. He’s got devastating low kicks and after facing two top Thais this looks a much more winnable assignment for the Englishman.

Mohammed Bin Mahmoud is a ONE Super Series veteran but is nowhere near on the level of Harrison’s previous two opponents. The Englishman will have a point to make here but if he gets careless the Malaysian could catch him.

Thanh Le vs Ryogo Takahashi (Featherweight)

Thanh Le (10-2) is tall for a featherweight and knows how to use his knees, as Yusup Saadulaev discovered to his cost. The American Vietnamese fighter will be looking for a third straight stoppage win in the ONE Championship cage.

Ryogo Takahashi (11-3) is a former Shooto featherweight champion who has been in with some of the top Japanese fighters in the division. There’s not much footage out there of his fights and his ONE Champiomship debut ended prematurely when Keanu Subba was injured.

Muay Thai: Sangmanee Sathiangym vs Kenta Yamada (Bantamweight)

Sangmanee Sathiangym is a southpaw with a fast left kick but he’s also a brilliant technician who inevitably finds a way to win. The Thai will be looking to turn on the style after a disappointing ONE Super Series debut.

Kenta Yamada looks to be outmatched here. He’s competed in kickboxing a lot during his career and there’s nothing to suggest he is good enough to mix it up with one of the top fighters on the Bangkok stadium scene.

Muay Thai: Muangthai PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym vs. Brice Delval (Bantamweight)

Muangthai PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym is an elbow specialist but hasn’t looked entirely comfortably fighting in MMA gloves. He likes to stay in the pocket and look for openings to land an elbow, he’s probably the best in the sport with this weapon but is also a very intelligent and well rounded fighter.

Brice Delval trains alongside ONE Super Series star Elias Mahmoudi in France and has been fighting since he was 12. He faces a massive step up against Muangthai.

Stamp Fairtex vs Puja Tomar (Atomweight)

Stamp Fairtex (3-0) continues her quest to win a historic third ONE Championship title. Her main weapon will always be her kicks but she went three rounds with two time KOTC atomweight challenger Bi Nguyen last time out

Puja Tomar (4-3) claimed a decision win over Priscilla Gaol in Jakarta last time out. She’s a tough all rounder but will be at a clear disadvantage in the striking exchanges.

Muay Thai: Rodtang Jitmuangnon (c) vs Jonathan Haggerty (For flyweight Muay Thai title)

Rodtang Jitmangnon is guaranteed to walk forwards and let his hands fly. The Thai is a pressure fighter who likes to stand in the pocket and trade and he knocked Jonathan Haggerty down in their first fight.

Haggery has a height and reach advantage and knows how to use it. Expect him to try and keep Rodtang at range using teeps and long knees, the Thai will look to do damage at cloze quarters.

The entire ONE: “A New Tomorrow” fight card will be available to view live and free in some territories using the newly launched app which you can download here.

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