Turkey’s Hilal Amir arrived in ONE with a giant repute, he was unbeaten in his seven earlier skilled fights – stopping each opponent. His model is explosive with six of these seven wins having come by way of KO or TKO. It was left to the skilled Timofey Nastyukhin to welcome him to the organisation. Nastyukhin, ranked three within the light-weight division on the time, had some success within the first spherical, till a sport altering proper hand from Amir led to a powerful debut stoppage.
Ilya Freymanov
In relation to debuts, not many would wish to tackle a former two-weight world champion, however that’s precisely what Russia’s Ilya Freymanov did when he took on Martin Nguyen in September. And did he make a press release. A sensational efficiency was capped off within the third spherical when a brutal knee was adopted up with punches, dropping Nguyen earlier than the ref stepped in to halt proceedings. Count on massive issues from Freymanov in 2023.
Saygid Izagakhmaev
There isn’t far more strain in skilled MMA than being dubbed the protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov. That’s precisely the title Saygid Izagakhmaev took into his debut with James Nakashima in January. The Dagestani didn’t have issues all his personal approach, with Nakashima doing a very good job of retaining the battle standing. However, as with all of Khabib’s males, they typically discover a approach of attending to the bottom, and the identical was true right here with Izagakhmaev finally with the ability to lock in a Brabo choke – his thirteenth submission as a professional. Two additional wins since have arrange an thrilling 2023.
Mikey Musumeci
In relation to grappling and BJJ there are few larger names than Mikey Musumeci. The multi-time world champion arrived in ONE in April to face Japanese icon Masakazu Imanari in a extremely anticipated encounter. The American placed on a clinic of tremendous easy groundwork and transitions, which culminated in a slick rear bare choke. This was fight sport on the very highest stage.
Tye Ruotolo
Together with twin brother Kade, Tye Ruotolo is taken into account a prodigy within the grappling world. At simply 19 years of age he took to the ONE mate in April in opposition to the legendary Garry Tonon. 82-seconds he was getting his arm raised after a darce choke – simply as he’d predicted pre-fight. With Kade the present light-weight submission grappling champion might we see brother versus brother in 2023?
Smilla Sundell
What a 2022 it was for Sweden’s Smilla Sundell. At simply 17 years outdated she debuted in February, going to conflict with Australia’s Dinadra Martin within the ladies’s strawweight Muay Thai division. With a efficiency approach past her years, Sundell dropped Martin a number of occasions earlier than choosing up a 3rd spherical TKO and a massively spectacular win. Simply two months later she could be a world champion, taking the gold from America’s Jackie Buntan in simply her second professional battle. What a prospect.
