The 3 best performances at ONE Fight Night 8

ONE Championship’s third marquee card of the year live in US primetime once again delivered the goods inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, March 24.

ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs. Williams on Prime Video featured two sensational world champions defending their respective thrones in dominant fashion.

Fighters in the main and lead cards also brought their A-games through impressive performances in mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling.

While every fighter produced gallant efforts, there were three amazing warriors who shined the brightest.

Let’s take a look at the three best performers from ONE Fight Night 8.

#3. Akbar Abdullaev (featherweight MMA)

You only get one chance at a good first impression, and Akbar Abdullaev certainly made good on his fifteen minutes of fame.

The feared Kyrgyzstani knockout artist completely starched his opponent Oh Ho Taek, needing just 44 seconds to win his featherweight match on Friday.

Abdullaev backed his prey into a corner using immense pressure and displayed animalistic instincts to dodge the Korean’s incoming strike.

'Bakal’ retaliated with a crushing right uppercut that dropped his opponent, followed by some ballistic ground and pound that forced referee Mohamad Sulaiman to end the contest.

The victory earned him some additional notoriety and a nifty $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Adbullaev, who improved his undefeated record to 9-0 with eight first-round KOs, might just be a name to watch out for in the promotion’s 155-pound ranks.

#2. Allycia Hellen Rodrigues (atomweight Muay Thai world title unification bout)

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues proved just how tough mothers can be. The Brazilian star, who’s coming off an almost three-year layoff since the birth of her child, delivered a career-defining performance on her return against interim atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet Todd.

It appeared ‘JT’ had the victory in the bag after a strong showing in the first six minutes of the bout.

Rodrigues, though, was simply just waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. In round 3, the Phuket Fight Club representative finally figured out a way to close the gap and trapped Todd in a clinch.

The 24-year-old, who felt right at home in close quarters, unleased a brutal hail of elbows and knees that bloodied up the two-sport world champion.

It went downhill for the American from that point on, as Rodrigues marched forward and delivered more punishment.

Her punches and kicks also started to find their mark, as the usually aggressive Todd was forced to turtle up as the match expired.

Rodrigues unified the atomweight Muay Thai belts with a decisive unanimous decision win and asked for an opportunity to challenge Todd again for her kickboxing world title.

#1. Superlek Kiatmoo9 (ONE flyweight kickboxing world title)

The opponent might have changed, but Superlek Kiatmoo9’s mission remained the same. ‘The Kicking Machine’ accomplished what he set out to do by successfully defending his flyweight kickboxing world title against the gutsy Danial Williams.

The Thai sensation outclassed ‘Mini T’ from the get-go, tagging him with precise head strikes and chopping kicks to the leg and body from the outside.

The Australian-Thai fighter did give him a bit of a scare by clipping him with a right hand, which was ruled as a slip.

That strike seemingly awakened the beast inside Superlek as he punished him with feverish gusto in the second canto.

The 27-year-old got fancy with his strikes, nailing Williams with flying knees and roundhouse kicks.

Superlek did not delay the inevitable by round 3, knocking down Williams with a well-timed head kick to the face.

The late replacement challenger valiantly kept going, but Superlek ended his night for good shortly after with a beautiful punch combination.

Superlek deservingly took home a $50,000 performance incentive and bared his desire to challenge his original opponent Rodtang for his flyweight Muay Thai throne.