3 of the biggest storylines heading into ONE Fight Night 7

A lot of lingering questions will finally be answered at ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs Andrade II on Prime Video on February 24.

Headlining the stacked card at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, is the rematch of the century between rivals Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker for the vacant bantamweight world championship.

Hometown favorite Tawanchai PK. Saenchai also begins his reign as featherweight Muay Thai world champion against the surging Jamal Yusupov.

Elsewhere, Danielle Kelly will figure in the first submission grappling match inside the iconic arena, while Martin Nguyen will look to stop Shamil Gasanov’s hype train.

Here’s the full fight card, which airs live on US Primetime. Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can witness the spectacle free of charge:

With that said, here are three of the most prominent narratives you shouldn’t miss at ONE Fight Night 7.

#3 Is Danielle Kelly ready for a world title shot?

The promotion's burgeoning submission grappling scene already has two world champions, as Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo conquered the flyweight and lightweight divisions, respectively.

All signs indicate Danielle Kelly joining them someday and becoming the first female to hoist gold in the grappling-only ranks.

That golden opportunity, of course, won’t be handed to her on a silver platter and she must earn it with blood, sweat, and tears.

Kelly has already showcased glimpses of superstardom in her first two outings inside the Circle. She even cashed in a total of $100,000 USD in performance bonuses in the process.

The Silver Fox BJJ standout dominated a veteran like Mei Yamaguchi and made a Sambo world champion like Mariia Molchanova look like an amateur.

Not one to back down from any challenge, the 27-year-old will now take on an established MMA star in Ayaka Miura.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu currently owns Sambo inside the Circle, and Kelly will look to continue that same excellence against a fighter with a judo background this time around.

If Kelly beats Miura – in impressive fashion, no less – then a world title shot for the inaugural women’s atomweight submission grappling world title should be the next fight to make.

#2 Tawanchai’s first ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title defense

A star was born at ONE 161 last year when Tawanchai PK. Saenchai unseated the mighty Petchmorakot Petchyindee in a thrilling five-round Muay Thai spectacle.

As sweet as that moment was for the 23-year-old, he must now protect the featherweight Muay Thai throne against all possible invaders – starting with the dangerous Jamal Yusupov.

It’s true that for one to be considered a true world champion, that person has to defend his belt first.

Given his age and ever-evolving skillset, many believe Tawanchai can establish a dynasty in Muay Thai’s 155-pound ranks.

However, he must make a good first impression as a world champion and convincingly defeat his Turkish foe.

While Yusupov is 15 years his senior, ‘Yeniceri’ brings forth a decorated resume and a three-fight winning streak inside the Circle.

The second-ranked Muay Thai featherweight contender is a three-time Russian Kickboxing Champion known for his insane durability and frightening knockout power.

Then again, the same can be said about the new world champion, who already has over 160 fights under his belt.

This match is another classic showdown between youth and experience and will likely determine the landscape of one of the most stacked divisions in the promotion.

#1 Can Fabricio Andrade finish the job?

In a perfect world, Fabricio Andrade would have started 2023 with a massive gold belt strapped to his shoulders. In reality, however, he was literally a hair away from realizing his dream of becoming a world champion.

Known for his earth-shattering knees to the body, ‘Wonder Boy’ used his signature blow to punish John Lineker in their first encounter at ONE on Prime Video 3 last year. Turns out, his best weapon would spell his downfall. The 25-year-old badly hurt ‘Hands of Stone’ in round 3 with a crushing knee to the abdomen.

The follow-up knee, however, inadvertently hit low, rendering Lineker unable to continue the fight. Lineker’s cup was crushed that night, along with Andrade’s dream of becoming world champion after the match was ruled a no-contest.

Four months later, Andrade has a chance to seek vindication in arguably one of the biggest rematches in the promotion’s history.

Andrade didn’t exactly leave the match unscathed since Lineker also came close to finishing him at one point.

However, it was clear that the former world champion was on the verge of absorbing his first career KO loss if not for the foul.

Both fighters now have a feel of what the other can do. 'Wonder Boy,' for his part, has never lacked confidence in his abilities.

He enters this match with a massive chip on his shoulder and the desire to leave his adoptive hometown as the undisputed king of the bantamweights.