5 reasons to watch ONE: Winter Warriors

#2. ONE lightweight kickboxing world champion Regian Eersel meets a dangerous new challenger

Riding a 17-fight winning streak that dates back to 2016, Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer and reigning ONE lightweight kickboxing world champion Regian ‘The Immortal’ Eersel aims to successfully defend his world title for the third time.

Eersel has never lost under the ONE Championship banner, a mark he aims to maintain come Friday. He will meet Russian sensation Islam Murtazaev, a knockout artist fighting out of Moscow and looking to make a name for himself by beating one of the pound-for-pound striking titans.

Prior to signing with ONE, Murtazaev built a resume littered with spectacular knockouts. Even so, days ago Eersel relayed a snide remark, claiming he knew nothing of Murtazaev. So while the bad blood may not be boiling, it’s definitely at a steady simmer.

The main event is a striking connoisseur's dream, the solidified star taking on the rising challenger, all with the ONE lightweight kickboxing world title on the line. It’s the absolute highest level of striking, presented on the global stage.

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#1. Ritu Phogat and Stamp Fairtex conclude ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix

Last September at ONE: Empower, the opening round of the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix commenced. The historic tournament brought together eight of the world’s best atomweight fighters, all vying for a chance to win the prestigious silver belt and the opportunity to challenge reigning ONE women’s atomweight world champion ‘Unstoppable’ Angela Lee for the title.

Only two women remain, No.2-ranked atomweight and former ONE atomweight kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand and No. 4-ranked atomweight, Indian wrestling champion Ritu ‘The Indian Tigress’ Phogat.

With Lee watching intently from her home in Hawaii, a new challenger to her atomweight throne will rise. The Singaporean-American superstar is expected to return to action in early 2022, with the new mother taking on the winner of the tournament.

For the two ONE athletes stepping into the Circle to determine a winner on Friday, the stakes have never been higher.