3 fights to make after ONE Fight Night 7

A lot of questions were finally answered on ONE Championship’s spectacular ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs Andrade II card inside Lumpinee Stadium over the weekend.

In the main event, Fabricio Andrade showcased the DNA of a true world champion by battering rival John Lineker to become the undisputed king of the bantamweights.

Elsewhere, featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK.Saenchai proved he can perform at the highest level, even while carrying the expectations of an entire nation on his broad shoulders. The 23-year-old prodigy made a successful first world title defense with a single kick that shattered both Jamal Yusupov’s leg and world title aspirations.

Then, there’s former two-division world champion Martin Nguyen, who silenced his detractors with a vintage performance against the upset-minded Leonardo Casotti.

After passing their most recent tests with flying colors, it’s time to assess the challenges that lie ahead.

Read on to find out what’s next in store for these three ONE Championship superstars in the aftermath of their respective victories at ONE Fight Night 7.

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#3. Martin Nguyen vs Garry Tonon (featherweight MMA)

Martin Nguyen overcame so much adversity just to get his hand raised at ONE Fight Night 7.

The former lightweight and featherweight double champion dealt with immense pressure to perform at his best after suffering a devastating KO loss to Ilya Freymanov in his last outing.

Moreover, Nguyen had to pivot his plans thrice due to a revolving door of short-notice opponents. After spending his entire training camp preparing for an elite ground specialist like Shamil Gasanov, Nguyen unexpectedly had to get ready for Rezhab Shaydullaev after the Dagestani had to pull out due to an infection.

When that also fell through, he settled with Leonardo Casotti, who accepted the fight on just three days’ notice. Despite the unideal circumstances, the Vietnamese-Australian played with the cards that were dealt and outclassed the Brazilian across three rounds.

While winning against an unranked opponent might not pose the same satisfaction for ‘The Situ-Asian’, it’s still a step in the right direction. For sure, the 33-year-old would love to rebook his matchup with Gasanov, but there’s also another top-five featherweight who recently called him out.

Like Nguyen, second-ranked Garry Tonon also recently returned to the winner’s circle by submitting Johnny Nunez last January. This bout actually makes more sense, considering both fighters are a win or two away from a possible world title shot against the division’s new king Tang Kai.

It is worth noting that they both got bested by No.1 contender Thanh Le. Nguyen lost his featherweight gold strap to the Vietnamese-American fighter, while Tonon also got knocked out by Le in his first world title shot.

The victor of the Nguyen-Tonon tiff could potentially figure in world title eliminator against Thanh Le.

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#2. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai vs. Superbon Singha Mawynn (featherweight Muay Thai world title)

This potential fight could go down as one of the biggest Muay Thai matches in the promotion’s history.

The Tawanchai era has officially begun following a single destructive kick that sent the entire Lumpinee Stadium into a state of pandemonium. After dispatching Jamal Yusupov in the most brutal way imaginable, it’s only fitting for Tawanchai to get an opponent worthy of his star power.

Imagine if the 23-year-old superstar gets matched with another fellow Thai striker, who’s also known for leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Former featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon Singha Mawynn might just be the perfect opponent for him.

The 32-year-old, who recently lost his kickboxing throne to Chingiz Allazov, would love nothing more than to avenge that bitter defeat. However, the manner in which he got utterly dominated by the new world champion doesn’t exactly warrant an immediate rematch.

Plus, he’s still ranked first in the featherweight divisions of Muay Thai and kickboxing, and switching sports might just be the fresh start he needs.

Tawanchai, for one, has already aired his willingness to match up with Superbon in case the promotion decides to take that route.

The pair of Thai wrecking machines also possess similar styles. They are capable of methodically dissecting their opponents with precise shots, but also end the fight in an instant with a single killer blow.

Aside from Superbon, third-ranked Jimmy Vienot is the only fighter from the top five whom Tawanchai hasn’t faced yet.

Still, fans would agree that Tawanchai vs. Superbon fight seems to be the best fight to make.

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#1. Fabricio Andrade vs. Stephen Loman (ONE bantamweight world title)

Third-ranked bantamweight Stephen Loman called dibs on the next world title shot after outclassing the division’s former longtime ruler Bibiano Fernandes in dominant fashion last year.

‘The Sniper’ was all eyes on the rematch of the century between Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker. He correctly predicted ‘Wonder Boy’ will emerge victorious, and it looks like he’ll soon get his wish to share the circle with the new world champion.

The feeling seems to be mutual for Andrade, who proclaimed Loman as his next rightful challenger in his ONE Fight Night 7 post-match interview:

“We already got a contender in line. [Stephen] Loman, you want this? Come and get it.”

As far as the stylistic match-up goes, it will be interesting to see how Andrade will deal with Loman’s improved wrestling.

‘Wonder Boy’ did have some trouble in the grappling department in his two fights with Lineker. The Team Lakay star has taken notice of this and would love to employ the same smothering tactic he used against Fernandes.

Loman also has dynamite on that left hand of his, which he could use to hold his own in the striking department with the head-hunting Brazilian.

For now, Andrade will enjoy the spoils of victory, as well as some well-earned rest and recuperation after his grueling war with Lineker. But with the threat of Loman looming, it won’t be long until the new bantamweight king is back in the gym.