Home>Sports>Other Sports>Abbasov, Nastyukhin, Wakamatsu win
Other Sports

Abbasov, Nastyukhin, Wakamatsu win

Kiamrian Abbasov
Abbasov: Sensational knockout victory.

THE largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship, returned with another action-packed event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

ONE: Inside the Matrix II, a previously recorded event broadcast globally last Friday, witnessed the world’s top mixed martial artists showcase their incredible skills inside the ONE Circle.

Reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian “

” Abbasov of Kyrgyzstan delivered a sensational come-from-behind technical knockout victory over previously unbeaten contender James Nakashima of theUnited States in the main event,

Nakashima connected with a massive punch that damaged Abbasov’s nose in the first round, and the reigning World Champion was forced to overcome adversity the rest of the way.

In the second round, Nakashima began targeting the nose and attempted takedowns that were defended well by Abbasov.

Nakashima finally landed a successful takedown after multiple tries and worked from top position in the third round. Nakashima appeared to be in full control of the action and cruising to victory.

The tables were turned in the fourth round, however, when Abbasov staggered Nakashima with a knee as the challenger was attempting another double-leg.

With Nakashima rocked, “Brazen” closed the show behind a flurry of strikes that forced the referee to halt the contest.

In the co-main event, ranked lightweight contenders Timofey Nastyukhin of Russia and Pieter “The Archangel” Buist of The Netherlands competed in a back-and-forth contest that served as a ONE Lightweight World Title eliminator.

The hard-hitting Nastyukhin was aggressive early, uncorking a series of haymakers as Buist used his length to keep the distance. In the second round, Nastyukhin complemented his impressive striking with a wrestling showcase, taking Buist down to the canvas with a couple of powerful slams.

Buist showed signs of life in the third, landing a number of power shots from range.

However, time ran out for “The Archangel,” and the final bell rang to give Nastyukhin a hard-earned unanimous decision victory.

Earlier in the evening, Japanese spitfire Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu added yet another one-punch knockout to his highlight reel, stopping South Korea’s Kim Kyu Sung in the final minute of the opening round. Wakamatsu came out of the gates with fiery combinations, stalking Kim aggressively across the circle

The South Korean athlete from Evolve MMA tried to use his reach advantage to stave off Wakamatsu’s attacks, but the Japanese stalwart was intent on ending the night early.

Towards the end of the round, Wakamatsu timed a well-placed right hand as his opponent was coming in, shutting off Kim’s lights before he hit the ground.

Indonesia’s Eko Roni Saputra once again authored an impressive finish, submitting three-time Filipino Kyokushin karate champion Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales via rear-naked choke near the end of the first round.

Saputra shot in for a double-leg almost immediately after the bout began, using his chain wrestling to bring matters to the canvas.

The Indonesian star proved unstoppable on the ground, advancing his position until he took Gonzales’ back and sunk in the choke. Gonzales had no choice but to tap.