There was no shortage in ONE Championship when it came to delivering fireworks throughout 2021. Fans can expect the same energy, if not more amplified, in 2022.
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The world’s largest MMA promotion already has two scheduled title fights in their opening card of 2022. It will feature Xiong Jing Nan defending her women’s strawweight title against Ayaka Miura in the main event at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS. Meanwhile, Roman Kryklia will defend his light heavyweight kickboxing title against Murat Aygun in the co-main event.
As ONE Championship plans to kick off 2022 with these two intriguing title fights, fans can expect even more explosive action for the next 12 months.
That said, let’s take a look at three of the most intriguing fights ONE Championship fans would like to see in 2022.
1. Reinier de Ridder vs. Arjan Bhullar: A title fight that will create history in ONE Championship
Reinier de Ridder vs. Arjan Bhullar is one of those rivalries that has no shortage of words. Furthermore, in one of his interviews, the Canadian-Indian athlete didn’t hold back while taking a dig at Ridder’s fighting skills.
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Ridder is the current ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion, while Bhullar holds the throne of the heavyweight division. Thus, there is no doubt the two are at the top of their respective divisions.
Furthermore, ‘The Dutch Knight’ has made his intentions clear on becoming ONE Championship’s first three-division champion.
Hence, a fight between the two will create history as it will be the first time where there could be a three-division champion if Ridder defeats Bhullar at heavyweight. However, it is easier said than done, as Bhullar will not be a walk in the park if this fight ever comes to fruition.
Read More: ONE Championship Sets up an Interim Title Bout Amidst Contract Disputes With Champion Arjan Bhullar
2. Ritu Phogat vs. Denice Zamboanga
Although things didn’t go the Indian athlete’s way in the women’s atomweight world Grand Prix Final, Ritu Phogat is still one of the best top contenders in the division. An elite athlete like her won’t need much time to put herself back on the map for a title shot.
Once she comes back, ‘The Indian Tigress’ would need another top contender to mark her return. Thus, Denice Zamboanga is the perfect opponent for the Evolve MMA star.
Zamboanga, who currently sits at #2 in the women’s atomweight rankings, has only suffered one loss in her professional MMA career to date. She lost against Seo Hee Ham in the Grand Prix quarter-final via a split decision.
There is no doubt about the Filipino athlete giving a tough challenge to Phogat in what could be one of the most exciting bouts in the women’s atomweight division if it ever comes to fruition.
Read More: Five Most Shocking One Championship Upsets in 2021
3. Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks
Even before making his promotional debut, Jarred Brooks made his intentions clear about eventually dethroning the strawweight king in the near future. To do so, ‘The Monkey God’ was ready to go through top contenders.
At ONE: NEXTGEN III, Brooks remained true to his words as he claimed a first-round submission (arm-triangle choke) victory over Lito Adiwang. After that dominating victory, ‘The Monkey God’ now holds the third position in the strawweight rankings.
As Adiwang trains with the current ONE Strawweight champion, Joshua Pacio, at the Team Lakay, it only adds to the intrigue of their potential fight. Thus, fans can expect fireworks in a potential strawweight title clash between the two.
Which fight would you like to see in ONE Championship next year? Let us know in the comments section.
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