ONE Championship had a landmark year in 2023, mounting its highest number of events and breaking various viewership records over the last 12 months. With the world’s largest martial arts organization showcasing the best in MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling, there were plenty of standout performances to look back on. Here are our picks for the top MMA showings in ONE this year.

ONE Championship’s best MMA submission of 2023 – Sage Northcutt Taps Ahmed Mujtaba

‘Super’ Sage Northcutt was one of the most exciting fighters in MMA. However, he had to step away from the sport for an extended period of time after suffering a devastating injury in his ONE debut.

A lot of eyes were on his return to action at ONE Fight Night 10 of this year as a result. Especially, since the May event was the promotion’s first live show in the United States.

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The multiple-time Karate World Champion was tasked with facing a dangerous threat in Pakistan’s Ahmed Mujtaba. But the significance of the occasion didn’t faze him in the slightest, as he needed only 39 seconds to pull off a surprise submission win.

ONE Championship’s best MMA knockout of 2023 – Anatoly Malykhin Claims Undisputed ONE Heavyweight World Championship Against Arjan Bhullar

Anatoly Malykhin has been on a tear since his arrival at ONE Championship four years ago. However, he couldn’t claim to be the best heavyweight MMA practitioner in the promotion. Why? Because Arjan Bhullar was holding the division’s crown.

Singh’s extended absence from ONE, coupled with Malykhin gaining the interim World Title in early 2022, established a palpable animosity between the pair. Next, it all came to a head at ONE Friday Fights 22 in June.

Bhullar offered Malykhin the toughest test of his promotional tenure, leading to a thrilling battle. But the Russian’s dominance was undeniable. He finished the Indian-Canadian grappler in the third round via some brutal ground-and-pound to claim the undisputed ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title.

ONE Championship’s best MMA fighter of 2023 – Stamp Fairtex

Thai megastar Stamp Fairtex remained unbeaten across her three outings in ONE this year, with two wins in MMA and one in kickboxing. It was the former that proved to be pivotal for her career, however.

Her first bout in the all-encompassing sport came against Alyse Anderson at ONE Fight Night 10. Though tasked with taking on a hometown hero in front of ONE’s first live American audience, she scored an impressive finish in the second frame – much to the delight of the crowd.

Stamp then capped off her year by making history. She knocked out #2-ranked contender Ham Seo Hee to claim the newly vacated ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship at ONE Fight Night 14 in September.

That win crowned the 26-year-old the first fighter in ONE history to win a World Title in three different sports.

ONE Championship’s best MMA fight of 2023 – Fabricio Andrade vs. John Lineker

The rematch for the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title between Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker was always bound to end in a stoppage. Moreover, fans were treated to a war en route to it at ONE Fight Night 7 in February.

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Their first encounter was as good as advertised, with both men throwing bombs at each other. Unfortunately, it ended prematurely when an ill-placed knee to Lineker led it to being called as a no-contest.

They picked up where they left off in their second meeting, however. The Brazilian pair threw fire back and forth for three full rounds until Lineker threw in the towel before the start of the fourth. Andrade claimed the vacant bantamweight MMA throne with the win, but both men left with their heads held high after the barnburner bout.

What were your favorite ONE Championship moments of 2023? Let us know in the comments below.