Welcome to today's edition of the daily Sportskeeda ONE Championship News Roundup, where we present the promotion's most important stories.
Today we’ll discuss Tawanchai PK Saenchai looking to take on Chingiz Allazov in a striking mega fight, Stephen Loman congratulating Fabricio Andrade in his world title triumph, and John Lineker revealing what he told Andrade following their firefight in Bangkok.
That said, here is today’s ONE Championship News Roundup.
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#3 Tawanchai looking to face newly crowned kickboxing king Chingiz Allazov
Tawanchai PK.Saenchai has proved that he’s more than just a rising star in ONE Championship's Muay Thai landscape, but an absolute force befitting of all the praise he’s given.
Following his lightning-fast win over Jamal Yusupov, the reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion revealed that he wants to face Chingiz Allazov, the ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion, in a striking super match.
Tawanchai, though, is in no hurry in facing ‘Chinga’ just yet. In his ONE Fight Night 7 post-fight interview, the 23-year-old star said:
“I am interested in that fight. Chingiz is a top fighter, so I will probably try a few matches in kickboxing, and probably afterwards, I can meet with Chingiz.”
Tawanchai recorded his first successful defense of the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title after he stopped Yusupov just 49 seconds into their match this past February at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
#2 Stephen Loman congratulates Fabricio Andrade on a stellar performance against John Lineker
Just like any fight fan, Stephen Loman watched how Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker put on an absolute show in their match for the vacant ONE bantamweight world title at ONE Fight Night 7.
Andrade and Lineker went to war in what might just be the best world title fight in ONE Championship’s 2023 calendar year. The two knockout machines battered each other for 20 minutes with ‘Wonder Boy’ ultimately taking the knockout win.
Lineker, who had a courageous showing, received too much damage through four rounds that his corner decided to call for a stop to the contest.
Loman, the No.3-ranked bantamweight contender in ONE Championship, couldn’t help but show his appreciation for the striking mastery that Andrade displayed to claim the ONE bantamweight world title.
In an interview with The MMA Superfan, Loman said:
“His striking combinations were pretty good and he always caught Lineker with the knees, especially the knees. And John couldn’t make it to the fifth round that’s why Fabricio took the win. It was a very good fight. I have to congratulate Fabricio because he won the fight.”
Loman is seen as a potential contender for Andrade’s first world title defense, and it’s only a matter of time before ONE Championship makes an official announcement for the two young stars’ world title bout.
#1 John Lineker reveals what he told Fabricio Andrade in the ring after their brutal war
John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade’s world title match in the main event of ONE Fight Night 7 was largely built around the animosity between them.
While Lineker was content in playing the stoic part, Andrade was relentless in his promos that cut ‘Hands of Stone’ down to proverbial pieces.
Their fight at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, too, showcased just how much their feud meant to them, with the two Brazilian stars putting it all on the line on February 24.
Andrade ultimately claimed the victory, and the vacant ONE bantamweight world title, after Lineker’s corner called for a stop to the contest after the fourth round.
Despite the beef they had heading into their match, Lineker and Andrade shared a poignant moment after the final bell.
Lineker, in an interview with ONE Championship, revealed what he said to his rival.
“I thanked him for the great fight we had. I said he deserved to be champion. I told him that he taught me a lot, that he showed me that I need to train more and more. I wished that God would bless him, that he would remain a champion and that he would achieve everything he dreamed of in life.”