WATCH: Aung La N Sang stops Yushin Okami and the top highlights from ONE 163

‘The Burmese Python’ Aung La N Sang jumped right back onto the winning column after putting a halt to Yushin Okami’s hopes of stringing together wins in the promotion at ONE 163.

The two legendary warriors fought with everything they got but Aung La proved to be too much for the Japansese veteran.

After stuffing Okami’s takedown in the opening round, the former two-division world champion loaded with the punches, scarcely allowing ‘Thunder’ enough breathing room to figure out his next big step.

Okami risked another takedown during those critical moments to recover, however, 'The Burmese Python' read the strategy perfectly with a well-timed knee to the head, folding Okami immediately onto the mat.

Watch the fight below:

Following up with a flurry of punches and knees from top position, the referee saw enough to persuade him to stop the contest with only a minute and a half left in the first round.

Aung La wasn’t the only big winner who left a lasting impact at last week’s double-header card. ONE lightweight contender, Saygid Izagakmaev, for instance, put on a masterful, one-sided performance against Shinya Aoki in similar fashion - TKO by ground and pound in the first round. The Eagles MMA prospect likely earned his shot at the world title against reigning two-division world champion Christian Lee after such a performance.

Other noteworthy winners at ONE 163 included: Petchtanong Petchfergus winning the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title, Roman Kryklia as the ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix winner, and ONE bantamweight contender Kwon Won Il delivering another spectacular knockout.

Relive all the best highlights and TKO’s from ONE 163 below:

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Aung La N Sang says he wouldn’t mind being the division’s gatekeeper

As the middleweight division starts to shift again with Aung La N Sang’s recent victory over Yushin Okami, he wants a first-hand pick on his next opponent: ONE newcomer Shamil Abdualev.

The Russian middleweight holds a professional record of 13-1 with 6 TKO’s under his belt. Right off the bat, the newly-signed fighter headed towards his first world title match with reigning two-division world champion Reinier de Ridder this past October at ONE on Prime Video 3.

The match, however, was subsequently canceled but it did leave Aung La N Sang questioning the decision to let this matchup happen in the first place. In a ONE 163 post-fight interview, the 37-year-old veteran told SCMP MMA:

“Not picking on anybody, but if he’s going to fight for the title, he should at least fight one of us in the promotion already, either me, either Vitaly [Bigdash], you know somebody that’s proven time and time over again. So, I’m just saying if they’re going to give it to somebody, might as well give it to me first -I can be the gatekeeper.”

Watch the interview below: