ONE Championship's 3 biggest breakout stars in 2024

ONE Championship is the world's largest martial arts organization where the best martial artists across multiple sports gather.

Apart from housing established superstars, the home of martial arts also develops young talent and gives them a platform to reach their full potential on the biggest stage.

In 2024, these three special talents made the most of their opportunities and became household names. Let's take a look at ONE Championship's 3 biggest breakout stars of 2024.

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'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane (MMA)

'Reug Reug' shocked the world and brought pride to Senegal in 2024.

The intimidating behemoth made his lone MMA match of 2024 count by doing the unthinkable and beating an unstoppable force of nature.

Kane showed no fear when he challenged Anatoly Malykhin for his heavyweight MMA crown at ONE 169. The Russian mauler entered the match-up with a 14-0 record, which includes a ridiculous 100 percent finishing rate.

Needless to say, Malykhin found his match after going the full 25 minutes with 'Reug Reug.

The Senegalese monster took 'Sladkiy's aura of invincibility when he became the first man to take him down in round 1.

After absorbing the multi-division MMA champ's best shots, 'Reug Reug' outclassed him with relentless pressure in both striking and grappling exchanges to claim the hard-earned split decision victory.

'Reug Reug' deservingly received a hero's welcome in Senegal when he returned as the new ONE heavyweight MMA world champion.

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Nabil Anane (Muay Thai)

In a span of one year, Nabil Anane evolved from a promising phenom into a legitimate dark horse contender in the stacked bantamweight Muay Thai division.

The 6-foot-4 Algerian-Thai tower went undefeated in three matches in 2024 and showcased his seemingly endless potential against formidable opposition.

Anane started the year by giving feared KO artist Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai a taste of his own medicine at ONE Friday Fights 69. The Team Mehdi Zatout prodigy annihilated 'Left Meteorite' from the clinch with a resounding KO victory.

This was followed by a surgical performance against former world title challenger Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 24. Anane used his freakish length to its full advantage and made it easy against 'Demolition Man'.

The 20-year-old then proved he was wise beyond his years with a methodical beatdown of Soe Lin Oo at ONE Friday Fights 81.

Now ranked fifth in the division, Anane can earn himself a rematch with bantamweight Muay Thai kingpin Superlek Kiatmoo9 if he can pull off the upset against no.1 contender Nico Carrillo at ONE 170 on Jan. 24 at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Johan Estupinan (Muay Thai)

Fans and pundits alike are often lost for words when watching Johan Estupinan's mesmerizingly destructive fighting style.

The Colombian wonder was a busy man in 2024, as he was able to keep his undefeated record by going 4-0 under the ONE banner.

'Panda Kick' emerged onto the global scene with a 27-second blitzing of Kouta Omori at ONE Friday Fights 64.

The flashy Estupinan proved his mettle after facing adversity against Zafer Sayik at ONE 167 but still came away with the unanimous decision win.

The 22-year-old annihilator then put the entire flyweight Muay Thai ranks on notice with a resounding finish over Sean Climaco at ONE 168: Denver.

Estupinan scored another stoppage and cashed in a second-straight performance bonus when he cracked Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 25.

At ONE 170, Estupinan could build his case for a top 5 opponent next if he beats the phenomenal Johan Ghazali is a battle between arguably two of the most promising young strikers in the promotion.