5 of the most promising heavyweights in ONE Championship

#4. Kang Ji Won (ONE Championship record: 2-1)

26-year-old Kang Ji Won from Korea started his professional career in 2018. He has quickly made a name for himself as an exciting finisher since joining ONE Championship in 2021.

The South Korean fighter has not fought beyond the first round through six bouts and has used his heavy fists to finish off his first five opponents. He’s also made it a habit to score shocking finishes against fighters he was never supposed to beat. In his first two fights in ONE, Kang stopped decorated wrestlers Mehdi Barghi and Amir Aliakbari.

At ONE: Winter Warriors in December 2021, Kang faced arguably the toughest opponent he has ever had to face in Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida, a living legend in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world. Their matchup was also done by the first round, but Kang would be on the losing end for the first time in his professional career.

‘Buchecha’ later admitted that he spent a lot of energy trying to make his opponent tap out and almost thought that he wouldn’t finish him at the time because of Kang’s heart.

With his dangerous hands already a threat, his loss to ‘Buchecha’ can only help ‘Mighty Warrior’ find ways to improve his takedown defense and become an entirely different animal the next time we see him in the Circle.

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#3. Kirill Grishenko (ONE Championship record: 2-0)

Kirill Grishenko made his ONE Championship debut in April 2021 and has already put a blemish on the records of two undefeated fighters.

The Belarusian giant started his professional MMA career in 2020. While he has proven that his hands can be dangerous, he actually started his martial arts career as a Greco-Roman wrestler, where he won two European Championships, among other accolades.

He showed his wrestling prowess in controlling the fight against Senegalese wrestling machine Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane on his way to stopping that freight train’s undefeated run.

Next, Grishenko’s striking skills were tested against heavy-hitting newcomer, Dustin Joynson. While it was his overall skills that shined during their match, he showed that he wasn’t afraid to stand and strike against the best in the world.

His successful run has earned him a chance at becoming ONE interim heavyweight world champion in just the second year of his MMA journey.