5 things we learned from ONE on Prime Video 4

ONE Championship’s fourth venture in US primetime last weekend turned out to be its biggest one yet.

ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee had plenty of interesting storylines from its lead card up to its main card.

In the main event, Christian Lee made history by becoming the promotion’s latest two-division world champion. He completed a massive come-from-behind victory against Kiamrian Abbasov to hoist the welterweight gold strap on his shoulders by the end of the night.

As sensational as that performance was, there were other head-turners throughout the majestic event.

Let’s have a look at our five biggest realizations from ONE on Prime Video 4.

#5 Jonathan Haggerty will be a problem at ONE’s bantamweight division

Former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty wanted a change in scenery and opted to chase new challenges at a higher weight class.

In the build-up to his 145-pound debut against Vladimir Kuzmin, ‘The General’ raved about becoming fitter and more powerful than before in his new weight class. Plus, Haggerty loved the fact that he got to eat more since he had extra wiggle room at bantamweight.

However, he may have overdone it since he missed weight on the scales.

The catchweight bout still pushed through, and Haggerty definitely looked better than before. The 25-year-old Englishman landed the crisper shots against the Russian and walked away with the majority-decision victory.

Moreover, his strikes certainly had more weight to them as compared to his days at flyweight.

Haggerty has already expressed his desire to face the division’s world champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.

If he keeps this up — and manages his weight better next time— then he might just earn a dance with the legendary Thai fighter.

#4 Danielle Kelly is ready for bigger challenges

Danielle Kelly silenced a lot of critics with her sensational performance against the dangerous Mariia Molchanova.

The 26-year-old proved why she deserves to be billed as the face of the promotion’s women’s submission grappling. The American BJJ ace was ultra-aggressive and hunted the finish from the get-go.

Still, she stuck to her roots and remained technical as she locked in a tight rear-naked choke for the win.

After two bonus-winning performances inside the circle, it only makes sense for Kelly to fight for the inaugural ONE women’s atomweight submission grappling world title soon.

The Silver Fox BJJ standout called out her preferred next opponent in her post-fight interview. Kelly once again boldly challenged reigning ONE women’s atomweight world champion, Angela Lee.

While ‘Unstoppable’ said she’s focusing on MMA at the moment, maybe the allure of another world title in submission grappling could entice her to accept Kelly’s invitation.

#3 Stephen Loman is world-class

Bibiano Fernandes is quite familiar with Team Lakay after getting the better of Kevin Belingon during their intense rivalry.

However, he had no answer against the Baguio-based team’s most promising star, Stephen Loman. After 15 minutes of intense action, the former ONE bantamweight world champion didn’t even know what hit him and was bested at his own game.

‘The Sniper’, who’s known more for his hands, handily outwrestled and out-grappled the BJJ black belt.

Loman rag dolled ‘The Flash’ all over the circle and escaped the precarious positions that the Brazilian put him in.

The Filipino applied extreme pressure from top as he pounded away at Fernandes on the ground. He came away with a decisive unanimous decision victory and aligned himself with the division's elite.

As it stands, No.1-ranked contender Fabricio Andrade and No.2-ranked John Lineker will settle their unfinished business for the vacant 145-pound throne in their rematch in February 2023.

For sure, Loman should be in the next line for the title after that glorious performance.

#2 Never make Rodtang angry

Flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon is an intense individual inside the cage, but he’s a happy-go-lucky kind of guy outside of it.

However, we saw a different side of ‘The Iron Man’ at ONE on Prime Video 4.

It turns out he’s more like Bruce Banner, AKA 'The Incredible Hulk'. You won’t like him when he’s angry. Joseph Lasiri learned that the hard way. ‘The Hurricane’ got a little bit carried away with his pre-fight trash talk and poked the bear too much.

During the live broadcast, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed that Rodtang was incredibly irked by Lasiri’s comments.

In fact, the Thai superstar admitted post-match that he didn’t like Lasiri comparing him to Prajanchai PK. Saenchai:

"So earlier I recall he said something like, [he will retire me on my stool] like what he did to Prajanchai. So that's what upset me, when he talked too much that time."

Rodtang put on a striking clinic and dismantled the Italian-Moroccan with his full arsenal of punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.

Moreover, he said he would have definitely knocked out Lasiri if the challenger did not run away too much.

#1 Christian Lee’s warrior spirit is unfathomable

Christian Lee might just be the most skilled fighter in the promotion right now. He’s a born mixed martial artist who’s gifted everywhere. But what makes him truly special is that warrior spirit that courses through his veins.

The 24-year-old superstar was on the verge of losing consciousness after getting hit by Abbasov’s haymakers. He could have turtled up and quit, but Lee wasn’t going to let the big opportunity slip past him.

The Singaporean-American withstood that ferocious barrage and valiantly fought back. He finished the wrestler in the fourth round.

Lee is certainly a generational talent who’s not even close to his full potential. Now, if you add in that enormous heart of his, Lee might just be the perfect martial artist.