#2. Song Kenan vs. Derrick Krantz (Welterweight)
A product of Dana White's Contender Series, Derrick Krantz had an impressive resume to boast about. Krantz had finished 21 of his 24 wins and had 17 first-round finishes. His opponent, Chinese Welterweight Song Kenan was an all-action fighter with a penchant for finishes. This one promised to be a wild fight.
Round 1: Song closed the distance and landed a kick to the body. Krantz took his time and looked to read his opponent's movements. Song kept firing in the kicks. It was loud in the arena as the fans chanted for one of their own.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Outside leg kick from Krantz. Inside leg kick from Song, followed by a high kick. Krantz with a hook. They gave each other a lot of respect. While it may have seemed cautious, both men had the power to finish the fight with one shot.
They clinched against the fence. That didn't last long. Oblique kick from Song. Lead right and a follow-up left from Krantz. He followed it with a lead jab. Outside leg kick from Krantz. Krantz began to get into groove looked to cut his rhythm with a kick.
Krantz kept circling Song, who connected with a body kick. Song used the kicks to keep Krantz away. Three heavy shots from Krantz in the centre. Song hung in there, faked a knee and connected with a left high kick. That was a beautiful exchange. That was a very tough round to score.
Round 2: Inside leg kick from Song. Krantz was the aggressor now as he looked to get some momentum.
Krantz shot for the double leg takedown. Song resisted, but Krantz hoisted him up in the air and slammed him down to the mat. Krantz got into side control and did a good job of generating some good downward pressure. He passed to mount and tried to pin Song down on his shoulders. Punches from Krantz to Song's gut. Krantz' briefly looked for a kimura.
Song waited for his opportunity and scrambled to flip positions. The crowd popped as Song almost got Krantz' back. Krantz slipped out settled into Song's guard. They changed positions again as Krantz locked in a standing Guillotine. Song got his head out in time. Song targeted Krantz' back again. Krantz escaped from the back door and got Song down again before assuming side control. He kept Song on his back and landed a few strikes until the round ended. 10-9 Krantz
Round 3: Solid kab from Song. Song came out as a man possessed. He had Krantz backed up. Wild swing of hands from Song, who unloaded with rights and lefts. Krantz landed many hard shots before taking Song down. That diffused the situation.
Krantz suffered a big cut above the eye as a result of Song's flurry. Song wanted to put on a show. Big left from Song. Krantz looked hurt. Song followed it up with a 3-piece combo. A flying knee followed from Song.
Krantz grabbed Song's legs and looked to force a takedown. Song resisted but gave in eventually. Krantz began in full guard and to win this fight, he needed to keep Song down. Krantz got a little impatient and gave up a strong position. Song got up and so did Krantz. Both men were exhausted.
Song with a jumping knee and a wild left. Krantz was spent as he wobbled around due to exhaustion. Song kept going forward with his arms down. Krantz took a deep breath and attacked the body. The fans booed but both men were just too tired to even care. The round ended and we just don't know who won here. Krantz may have edged it as he had more ground control. However, Song inflicted more damage.
Result: Song Kenan def. Derrick Krantz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Song's outrageously aggressive stance in the third round was instrumental in him getting the win here. A unanimous decision is contestable as Krantz did have a dominant second round. However, he took serious damage in the third round and was sloppy on the ground when it mattered the most in the third round.