"The energy here is quite unmatched" - Dante Leon raves about first experience competing inside the historic Lumpinee Stadium

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) standout Dante Leon was one of three ONE Championship athletes to have their promotional debut happen at ONE Fight Night 26 this past Friday, Dec. 6. Making it even more special for him is that it took place in the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking exclusively with ONE following the event, Leon stated:

"It's something that I've grown up and read about Lumpinee Stadium, but I've never set foot in it. And then the first time I come here, I get to compete in front of a packed crowd in this stadium. So yeah, the energy here is quite unmatched."

Knowing the extensive history of the 'Mecca of Muay Thai' might have played a vital role in the 29-year-old's performance against Bruno Pucci as he was eager to claim a marquee win.

After taking Pucci's back barely seconds into their lightweight submission grappling match, Leon snaked his way through his guard and cinched in a triangle armbar to submit the two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion in just over two minutes.

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How did Dante Leon's fellow debutants fare at ONE Fight Night 26?

Dante Leon was not the only BJJ athlete to have his promotional debut happen at ONE Fight Night 26 as 20-year-old grappling rising star 'Ice' Cole Abate took on former lightweight MMA king Shinya Aoki.

Similar to what Leon did against Pucci, Abate blitzed 'Tobikan Judan' and capped off his debut with a heel hook submission.

Later in the card, American flyweight MMA star Gilbert Nakatani displayed enormous heart when he went toe-to-toe with second-ranked ONE flyweight MMA competitor Yuya Wakamatsu in his maiden ONE outing.

Despite a strong showing, Nakatani fell to 'Little Piranha' via unanimous decision.

Fans in the United States and Canada with an active Prime Video subscription can rewatch ONE Fight Night 26 on demand.