Latest news with #ONEFightNight31
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Abolfazl Alipourandi ends Liam Nolan's ONE Championship return in just 59 seconds
Iranian secures stunning knockout after taking ONE Fight Night 31 bout at just a week's notice Abolfazl Alipourandi seized his opportunity in emphatic fashion with a 59-second walk-off knockout against Liam Nolan at ONE Fight Night 31 on Saturday. The Englishman had briefly retired after losing to Nauzet Trujillo last year but was inspired to return in hopes of exacting revenge in a rematch. However, when the Spaniard pulled out, Alipourandi jumped at the chance to make his ONE Championship debut. And with less than a minute gone, unleashed a perfect kick to his opponent's head, leaving the former WBC Muay Thai world champion folded on the canvas. 'The high kick is my favourite,' Alipourandi told the Post. 'I noticed when I was kicking Liam, I saw an opening. I was doing low kicks – it looked like I'd do another one, but instead I went straight up to the neck. Abolfazl Alipourandi connects with a brutal kick to Liam Nolan's head at ONE Fight Night 31. Photo: ONE Championship 'I felt amazing. My emotions are so high because Liam is really good, and I came in on short notice. For me now, because I've beaten Liam – and he's high level, just like most of the guys in the division – it's anyone, anytime, anyplace. 'One of my biggest dreams was always to compete for ONE, so when I was walking to the ring, I was just feeling that dream come true.' Newsletter Every Monday Martial Arts By submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick here {{message}} Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow us on Facebook to get our latest news. At 29 years old, the Iranian has been waiting for this kind of opportunity for a long time – and he made sure he was ready when the call came. 'I always keep in shape,' he said. 'That's what we do at Venum Training Camp because big opportunities can always arrive. I got this fight on a week's notice, and when I knew it was Liam on the big show, I knew the opportunity was huge.' Having dispatched one of the big names in the division in such style, the newcomer can now afford to start dreaming big. 'Like all young fighters, my dream is to win a world title in ONE. I'm so proud and happy. Now I'm going back to Iran to see my family,' Alipourandi said. In the main event, Nong-O Hama earned a unanimous decision win over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai. The former champion showed he remains a technical master even at 38, but his win certainly didn't produce the same level of fireworks as Alipourandi's knockout. Still, beating Kongthoranee will be a huge fillip for the veteran as he bids for one last crack at another title run. He had dropped down to flyweight in his last outing and lost a split decision to the PK Saenchai man at ONE Fight Night 28 but made sure he got the upper hand in the rematch. With Kongthoranee ranked No 3 at flyweight, Nong-O's victory puts him right back in the mix for title contention, proving he is still a major threat in the division despite his age. Elsewhere, American Tye Ruotolo settled the score with long-time rival Dante Leon and kept a hold of his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling world title. The pair clashed in the co-main event in what was a trilogy showdown between the elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts. Ruotolo extended his pristine record in ONE to 8-0, pushed his career slate to 30-10, and successfully defended his title – while also confirming his intention to try his hand at MMA soon. Also on the card, there was a stand-out performance from Lucas Gabriel, who clinched a unanimous decision win over Zhang Lipeng in their lightweight MMA battle. On the feet, he outgunned the Chinese veteran with punches and kicks. And once the action hit the canvas, the Brazilian pummelled Zhang with powerful ground-and-pound, ultimately sealing the nod from all three judges.
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Abolfazl Alipourandi ends Liam Nolan's ONE Championship return in just 59 seconds
Abolfazl Alipourandi seized his opportunity in emphatic fashion with a 59-second walk-off knockout against Liam Nolan at ONE Fight Night 31 on Saturday. Advertisement The Englishman had briefly retired after losing to Nauzet Trujillo last year but was inspired to return in hopes of exacting revenge in a rematch. However, when the Spaniard pulled out, Alipourandi jumped at the chance to make his ONE Championship debut. And with less than a minute gone, unleashed a perfect kick to his opponent's head, leaving the former WBC Muay Thai world champion folded on the canvas. 'The high kick is my favourite,' Alipourandi told the Post. 'I noticed when I was kicking Liam, I saw an opening. I was doing low kicks – it looked like I'd do another one, but instead I went straight up to the neck. Abolfazl Alipourandi connects with a brutal kick to Liam Nolan's head at ONE Fight Night 31. Photo: ONE Championship 'I felt amazing. My emotions are so high because Liam is really good, and I came in on short notice. For me now, because I've beaten Liam – and he's high level, just like most of the guys in the division – it's anyone, anytime, anyplace.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
ONE Fight Night 31 Results: Nong-O Hama registers maiden flywieght win; Ruotolo defends title against Leon
Former ONE bantamweight champion Nong-O Hama registered a stunning win against Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in the main event of ONE Fight Night 31 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday. Nong-O defeated his compatriot via unanimous decision, earning his first victory in the flyweight division. The 38-year-old superstar looked like a man possessed from the get-go, tagging Kongthoranee at every opportunity. His rival's powerful left hand, however, wobbled him in the second round, but that only made Nong-O even more dangerous. In the third round, Nong-O came out all guns blazing and took home the victory, along with a US$50,000 performance bonus. Read our other MMA stories - HERE Meanwhile, the unstoppable force in submission grappling Tye Ruotolo successfully defended his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title against arch-rival Dante Leon. Ruotolo was the aggressor throughout the 10-minute bout, constantly hunting for submission from the top position but failed to do so. However, his relentless pressure made him victorious by unanimous decision. It was Ruotolo's eighth consecutive victory in the promotion. In other fights, the young phenoms Jordan Estupinan, Akif Guluzada, and Abdulla Dayakaev won their respective bouts. ONE Fight Night 31: Full results • Nong-O Hama defeats Kongthoranee Sor Sommai via unanimous decision (Muay Thai - flyweight) • Tye Ruotolo defeats Dante Leon via unanimous decision to retain the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title • Abolfazl Alipourandi defeats Liam Nolan via knockout (head kick) at 0:59 of round one (Muay Thai - lightweight) • Lucas Gabriel defeats Zhang Lipeng via unanimous decision (MMA - lightweight) • Abdulla Dayakaev defeats Saemapetch Fairtex via TKO (referee stoppage) at 1:44 of round two (Muay Thai - bantamweight) • Akif Guluzada defeats Sean Climaco via unanimous decision (Muay Thai - flyweight) • Jordan Estupinan defeats Ali Saldoev via unanimous decision (Muay Thai - flyweight)
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Croat Soldic eyes Lee's ONE welterweight title after Kadestam's ‘crazy' weigh-in failure
Roberto Soldic wants a shot at Christian Lee's ONE Championship MMA welterweight title after Zebaztian Kadestam missed weight by a massive 4.5kg in Bangkok on Friday. Advertisement The Swedish former champion was expected to face Isi Fitikefu at ONE Fight Night 31 in what was widely considered a title eliminator. But the bout was cancelled after Kadestam weighed in at 88.5kg – considerably more than the welterweight limit. 'It's just crazy,' Soldic told the Post. 'I've never seen anything like this. 4.5kg is too much. That's like two divisions heavier already. I was shocked.' In an Instagram post soon after the weigh-in, the 29-year-old mocked Kadestam. Advertisement 'Former world champion takes off his pants at 88.5kg, thinks it's 100 grams … this is crazy,' he said. 'The fight has been postponed. I'm the next challenger for the belt.' Soldic also posted a video of himself successfully making weight, with the caption: 'Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but doing it like you love it.'
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship: Liam Nolan's return from return sees late change of opponent
Liam Nolan's return to ONE Championship following a brief retirement hit a snag with a last-minute change of opponent for this weekend's ONE Fight Night 31 in Bangkok. Advertisement Rather than the opportunity to avenge a recent defeat, the 27-year-old faces Iran's Abolfazl Alipourandi. 'I was meant to fight Nauzet Trujillo, who beat me last year,' Nolan told the Post. 'I was really looking forward to the rematch. 'But he pulled out, so they've given me a debut guy now.' Despite the late switch, Nolan said he was grateful for the inspiration that brought him back to competition. 'I had a conversation with [ONE Championship CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] and he was just like, 'look man, you're too good not to be fighting, you've got too much to give to the sport,'' he said. 'It kind of just lit the fire back in me and gave me the push I needed.'
