ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen certainly lived up to the hype when it went down last Friday, June 3, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

The promotion’s ninth event of 2022 featured some classic grappling versus striker matchups, intense battles decided by the narrowest of margins, and inspiring highlight-reel finishes.

There were plenty of big winners on the night, and here we take a look at what could be next for three of the biggest victors from ONE 158.

#1 Guto Inocente

Rade Opacic’s brute force proved to be too much for every competitor that had stepped into the Circle opposite him until Guto Inocente came along on Friday night.

The Brazilian striking machine sent the Serb tank crashing to the canvas courtesy of a devastating liver shot in the opening round of their heavyweight kickboxing showdown. The victory extends Inocente’s record in ONE Super Series to 2-0 and ends Opacic’s staggering four-knockout win streak.

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Opacic, who entered the bout as a favorite to challenge for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title, still stands as the top contender to challenge for the belt, but Inocente’s emphatic triumph proves that he should be in a similar conversation. 

If the World Title doesn’t come next, expect the Brazilian striker to face at least one more opponent before possibly running it back with Opacic for the divisional strap.

#2 Fabricio Andrade 

Another Brazilian who picked up the most significant win of their career at ONE 158 was bantamweight knockout machine Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade. 

The #4-ranked contender needed only 62 seconds to finish #2-ranked “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won II, as he uncorked a left body kick that forced the South Korean star to drop to the mat in pain.

It was a huge victory for the talented youngster. Kwon had entered the bout with three successive knockout wins, but “Wonder Boy’s” sublime striking from the opening bell denied him a chance to find any momentum. 

The win earned Andrade a US$50,000 bonus and could very well gain him a shot at John “Hands of Stone” Lineker’s ONE Bantamweight World Title next. 

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Andrade has long claimed to be the “uncrowned king of the division,” and with performances like the one he put in on Friday night, it is easy to see why.

#3 Tawanchai PK. Saenchai

Tawanchai PK. Saenchai promised to showcase a more dangerous version of his striking arsenal in the main event of ONE 158, and he stuck true to his words with a second-round KO of promotional newcomer Niclas “Dreamchaser” Larsen.

The #5-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender settled the bout with a right-hook left-straight combination that landed cleanly on his rival’s jaw, marking his third knockout in four appearances inside the ONE Circle. 

The impressive victory penciled him in as the next challenger to Petchmorakot Petchyindee’s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title and earned a US$50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Tawanchai PK. Saenchai’s Vicious Knockout at ONE 158 Secures Him the ONE Featherweight Muay World Championship Opportunity

Petchmorakot has defended his gold on three occasions, most recently against Jimmy Vienot at ONE 157, and will offer Tawanchai a tough battle – but the striking dynamo might just be the opponent to end the longtime champion’s reign.

Both fighters share a similar style, so fans can expect a striking masterclass when they tango inside the Circle.