ONE Fight Night 20 ‘Todd vs. Phetjeeja Play-by-Play & Results

Muay Thai: Shir Cohen vs. Teodora Kirilova

Round 1

Happy International Women’s Day! One Championship is honoring this by staging an all-women’s card that would make fans of Invicta FC very happy. This nine-fight showcase will span four different combat sports of muay thai, submission grappling, MMA and kickboxing, and we start with the first of those four. Representing her home country of Israel, Cohen (7-1) sets foot in the ring to engage in three rounds of the art of eight limbs. She takes on Bulgaria’s Kirilova (14-0), under the oversight of referee Olivier Coste. The two 115-pounders come together and touch gloves, and Kirilova immediately gets started with several front kicks. Cohen fires back with punches, but she is out of range as Kirilova’s kicks are keeping a wide berth. Cohen absorbs a flush right hand in the midst of a combination, and she presses forward only to practically jump into the arms of the Bulgarian. Cohen, her nose red after the separation, races forward throwing everything and the kitchen sink. Cohen tags Kirilova with several right hands as she strings punches, kicks, elbows and knees into a wild salvo, and she backs off to reset. As they trade, Kirilova slips, and she gets back to her feet with no issue as it was not a knockdown. Cohen decides it is time to stand and bang, and she slings leather to get Kirilova’s attention and opens her up with a cut on the bridge of the nose while drawing some swelling. Kirilova tries to slow things down and get back to her preferred range, but Cohen crashes the pocket consistently to let her hands go. Kirilova does succeed in pushing her foe back a few times with accurate front kicks, until Cohen throws caution to the wind and beans Kirilova with a right hand a follows it up with several elbows. Coste separates them, and Cohen is a woman possessed. Cohen clobbers her opponent with a long string of punches, and the momentum leads them to fall over. When they get back up, the round ends, and Kirilova’s right eye is showing serious damage from the oncoming fire. 10-9 Cohen

Round 2

Between rounds, the savvy music producer plays “Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe, which perfectly represents the vicious and hyper-aggressive Cohen. The Israeli starts right where she left off, practically sprinting at Kirilova with punches and elbow swinging. The onslaught sends blood flying from Kirilova’s face, splashing on Coste’s arm, and Cohen continues to press forward fearlessly. Kirilova hangs on to survive the vicious beating, but that girl is poison. Cohen attacks with both fists and elbows, splitting open another cut on Kirilova’s face and forcing Coste to call time to check on just how bad the damage is. It might be superficial and just ugly, as they clear the blood and clear Kirilova to get back to it. Cohen practically thanks the officials for letting the fight go, because she is not finished yet. Cohen charges like a bull, laying into Kirilova with a seemingly never-ending combination of punches and elbows. Kirilova turns away, and she manages to escape just long enough to remain in the fight. Cohen comes at her, knowing the finish is right around the corner, and she pummels Kirilova with fierce fists until Coste has no choice but to stop the fight for a merciful standing TKO. This is one way to start off this One card, with an exceptionally violent and bloody affair that likely had strike totals off the charts.

The Official Result

Shir Cohen def. Teodora Kirilova R2 2:27 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)

Sub Grappling: Mayssa Bastos vs. Kanae Yamada

Round 1

This the lone submission grappling affair on the event, is a single ten-minute round where the victor either submits their opponent or can win a decision with the most official attempts. A classic battle of martial arts nations will treat fans as Yamada represents Japan against her Brazilian adversary Bastos (108-12). Referee Herb Dean will take care of the particulars of this grappling battle in Lumpinee Stadium. The ladies shake hands to begin, and they approach one another in crouched stances while ready to hand-fight. Yamada throws the hands down and snatches the back of the head, but Bastos shakes her head out of the first snap-down attempt. Yamada tries this again, and Bastos decides to pull guard and throw her legs up as a counter. Yamada does not fall into danger, instead slowly pulling back and finding another way to approach the guard. Bastos sits up, only to get thwarted when setting up her high guard again. Yamada grabs Bastos’ ankle and drags her to a better position away from the ropes, and she jumps to the side to engage. Bastos scrambles immediately, and she snags a leglock that she uses only to turn the corner and slither around to take that Japanese woman’s back. Bastos gets both hooks in, and Yamada keeps her foe’s feet beneath her own legs for a potential counter ankle lock. Bastos wriggles her feet out of this, and Yamada times an explosion to flip over to her knees. Bastos follows her and remains on the back, and she snags hold of a face crank and torques it. Yamada fights it off and powers back to her feet, where she lords above her opponent until Dean tells her to engage. Yamada listens to him and leaps down on top, leading to a furious scramble of legs and feet going everywhere like a 115-pound Andy Capp comic-style fight. Bastos grabs an exposed leg for a moment and threatens a heel hook, and Yamada counters with her own until Bastos flips to the side and they get stuck in a 50/50 position. Yamada slips her leg out of harm enough, and she pushes Bastos over and gets her head under the ropes. Yamada presses down and looks to isolate an arm, but when there is nothing there, she kicks off and stands back up. Yamada pursues a leglock, and Bastos turns to the side and stifles it before anything can come of it. Both ladies grip hold of the other’s leg, and they find themselves in an awkward pretzel situation until Yamada moves first to get out of it and find a different angle. Both ladies turn to their sides, and Yamada grabs Bastos’ foot to control her or possibly look for a toe hold. Bastos pushes out of it and stands up, and she moves so aggressively that Yamada flips her all the way over. Both find themselves on their seats in a stalemate position of no leglock in sight, until Bastos sells out to snatch up an ankle. Yamada sees it coming and pushes Bastos over, and she steps over in hopes of getting her hands on one of Bastos’ legs. The Brazilian shuts it down and turns to threaten with a heel hook, but it does not materialize before Yamada springs up and out. Yamada stands up, and Bastos scoots towards her as Dean asks them to grapple. Yamada dives after an ankle, and Bastos turns all the way over while threatening with her own heel hook setup. The two roll several times until Yamada escapes the submission in a speedy exchange, and she does not stand up and instead looks for another leg. Bastos tries to turn herself over and chains a heel hook into a kneebar, and she also turns the foot to the side for an “anything I can find” submission that the commentary booth titles a “Mikey lock.” Yamada rolls through it, and the bell sounds. With no catches called by Dean and no submission snared, the judges have to go to the next criteria which is aggression. It will be a tough one to score, but it was an intriguing 10-minute affair. 10-9 Bastos

The Official Result

Mayssa Bastos def. Kanae Yamada via Unanimous Decision

MMA: Victoria Souza vs. Noelle Grandjean

Round 1

In one of two MMA matches of the day, Souza (7-1, 1-1 ONE) picked up her first win with the promotion over a year ago, while her opponent Grandjean (4-1, 1-1 ONE) is going to have to see what it feels like to compete without an undefeated record. The two women with .500 records in ONE will be joined in the ring by referee Herb Dean, and they kick things off without a touch of gloves. As a reminder, MMA fights with ONE are scored in their entirety, but for the sake of play-by-play, we score them round-by-round. Souza immediately slips several jabs and sneaks one in. The two pop one another with jab, and Grandjean follows one with a quick left hook. When Souza lashes out, she walks into a clean left hand, and Grandjean tags her with a right to follow. Vick shrugs them off and tries to march forward with two hooks, but Grandjean beats her to the punch and slides out of the way. Grandjean nails Souza with an overhand right, and she hammers her with another right and a sneaky left that shakes the Brazilian all the way to her core. Grandjean chucks the rocked Souza to her back, and she drops down hammerfists until Souza twists herself around to stand back up. Grandjean knocks her back over with her powerful right hand, and Souza has the wherewithal to close her guard and stop some of the offense raining down on her. Dean drags them back to the middle of the ring as they nearly fall out, and when they resume, Grandjean knees Souza in the posterior several times in rapid succession. The Thai crowd cheers every successive blow like a muay thai fight, and Souza tries to slide her guard higher to stop from getting hit. Souza remains stuck on her back, and she keeps herself from getting flattened out but does not offer anything back. Grandjean slows herself down, intending to pass guard rather than keep striking, and Dean asks them to work. Grandjean answers with a clean right hand over the top, and she otherwise hangs on to conclude the round. 10-9 Grandjean

Round 2

Grandjean is exceptionally aggressive to start off the second round, working her way forward so that she can violently hip toss the Brazilian to the mat. Souza calmly works her way back up to her feet and pushes Grandjean against the ropes. Grandjean breaks away and slows down, taking a fairly deep breath after Souza goes to the body. Souza measures a one-two that just misses the mark, and Grandjean tries the same as she gets kicked on the way in. Souza attacks the calf from a safe distance, away from the right hand that is starting to get telegraphed. Grandjean strikes with a leg kick, and Souza gives two right back as Dean claps for them to work. Souza lets loose with a low kick that makes Grandjean stumble, and she slides to the side to evade a one-two. Souza continues to chop down the leg on the outside, strafing to not get hit by anything from the French/Thai/Swiss fighter. Souza switches to an inside leg kick, and Grandjean fires off a heavy overhand right that reminds Souza there is still power there. Grandjean stalks down her opponent but walks into kicks, and she drives Souza back with another clubbing overhand right. Souza stands her guard and fires back with a right hook, and she charges. Grandjean takes the momentum and uses it against her, flipping Souza to her back. Souza explodes right back to her feet, where they get back to a tepid kickboxing approach that has made Dean ask them to work more times than once. Souza kicks low and leans back to dodge two swiping punches, and Dean again tells them to do more than the light offense they are offering. Grandjean winds up with a heavier right hand, and Souza backpedals and catches Grandjean with a counter. Grandjean raises her hands and asks her foe to fight back with something more than a few kicks, and the less-than-stellar round ends. 10-9 Grandjean

Round 3

Before the round begins, Dean gives Souza a hard warning for timidity. This appears to light a fire under her, as she starts throwing bombs, not wanting to lose a percent of her purse from a yellow card. Souza walks into several heavy right hands, but she gives them back nearly as often. Souza slows after taking a couple thudding right hands in response, and she winds up with one that makes Grandjean go wide-eyed. The two take turns busting one another in the chops with winging hooks, with defense at a premium at this point. The punches from Souza—and a possible clash of heads—draw some swelling beneath Grandjean’s left eye. Souza continues to try to trade, and Grandjean meets her in the middle and throws back. Souza walks into a heavy punch and tries to wrap one around the arm, but her power is not nearly as effective as her opponent’s. Grandjean connects with a good right hand and a body kick, and Souza starts driving kicks to the lead leg of her opponent. Souza gets knocked back when throwing a naked body kick, and she changes levels but is stopped in her tracks coming forward. Souza gets in a few more leg kicks and a right hand that makes Grandjean raise her hand in the air as if to signal that she was not stung, but it scored. Dean is bloodthirsty, calling for more action as the two 115ers continue to swing at one another. Neither gets the upper hand as they go back and forth, landing at fairly high clips. They crash together, and Grandjean takes her down with emphasis. As Souza hopes to scramble, Grandjean tackles her back to the floor. Souza once more works to her feet, and she pushes “Lil’ Monkey” against the ropes and knees her in the posterior until the fight comes to a close. 10-9 Souza (29-28 Grandjean)

The Official Result

Noelle Grandjean def. Victoria Souza via Unanimous Decision

Muay Thai: Lara Fernandez vs. Yu Yau Pui

Round 1

The hits keep coming, and a muay thai bout previously scheduled for 115 pounds is up next. “Pizza Power” Fernandez (41-16-3) will rep Spain having made weight successfully, and she will claim 30% of the purse of One Friday Fights signee Pui (27-2). The latter missed weight by 2.5 pounds, but they agreed to the catchweight. Referee Olivier Coste will take charge of what should be a fast-paced affair, and the two race forward into action without offering to touch ‘em up. Instead, Pui lances out with a front kick, and she blitzes into her opponent with punches and elbows until they wind up in the corner. Coste splits them up when they clinch too long, and Pui crashes the pocket again with arms flailing until they tie up again. They split up, and Pui walks into an overhand right and completely no-sells it so that she can clinch up and elbow her foe in the face. Pui does not show any concern for taking damage as she eats shots on the way in, and Fernandez elbows her in the face to make Pui smile. Pui attacks with reckless abandon, absorbing a flush elbow on the nose on her way forward. Pui strikes with long punches before closing in to knee the body, and Coste is there to break them again. They both get after it with a frenetic flurry of feet and fists, and Fernandez gets the better of the exchange, leading Pui to tie her up. Pui finds her way into a clinch, and she gets plunked with a right hand before they separate. Pui races forward, and Fernandez tags her with a few strikes before Pui can reach her. Fernandez has the elbows lined up to get Pui’s attention, and the only thing that slows Pui down is the bell. 10-9 Fernandez

Round 2

It is to no surprise that Pui practically runs out of her corner to start trading. Fernandez pushes her off, pressing her foot in the waist, and Pui goes to the body with a rapid series of punches. Fernandez slashes a right elbow over the top to open a cut on the corner of Pui’s eye, and she is dumped to the mat. When she climbs back up, Pui is on her like a cheap suit, spamming body kicks and punches until she is too close, and she switches to elbows. Pui’s pressure is suffocating and constant, and blood leaks from her eye as she takes damage when working her way forward. Fernandez effectively counters her with short elbows and any time Pui runs at her with her hands down, which is frequent. Fernandez starts to show some less-than-thrilled body language when she realizes Pui is not going to stop, and the Terminator from Hong Kong crashes forward with punches and everything else she can throw. If a steel chair was in the ring, Pui would likely have picked it up and hit Fernandez over the head with it. Fernandez meets her every step of the way, until she gets knocked off her feet with a front kick. It is ruled as a slip, and she gets back up and elbows Fernandez in the forehead. A mouse immediately develops on her forehead, and she does not remotely acknowledge it as she chose violence this morning and will not let up. Pui continues to put a pace and pressure on Fernandez until the round ends. 10-9 Pui

Round 3

Pui attacks to begin the round as if she had received a shot of adrenaline directly in her heart, charging with all her might and laying into Fernandez with every weapon in her arsenal. Fernandez is tough and ferocious as well, throwing back and making sure to make Pui pay when coming in recklessly. Pui continues to power her way forward into action, a veritable buzzsaw as the strike totals will blow away those from the first fight on the card. Pui measures body shots, front kick and elbows until she clinches, and she gets just enough space to drive punches and more elbows into the head and body of her fading opponent. Fernandez is taking damage at this point, with her face swelling as she gets bullied around the ring. Pui dumps her opponent to the ground and lets her stand back up, and when Fernandez kicks her in the ribs with a spinning back kick, Pui just grins. Pui beats on the body with punches and knees, and she elbows and punches Fernandez up top with flurries that are nearly impossible to cover individually. Pui lands an elbow to the back of the head as she abandons any defense, and when she is warned, she apologizes and continues to bludgeon Fernandez right to the final bell. What a wild one, as the woman from Hong Kong puts on a wood chipper-esque performance that will leave the division on notice. 10-9 Pui (29-28 Pui)

The Official Result

Yu Yau Pui def. Lara Fernandez via Unanimous Decision

Muay Thai: Ekaterina Vandaryeva vs. Martyna Kierczynska

Round 1

It is the battle of bordering nations for this 125-pound muay thai scrap, when Belarusian “Barbie” Vandaryeva (19-7) battles Poland’s Kierczynska (5-0). If previous matches tonight are any indication, this one should be a banger as well. Referee Olivier Coste joins the two in the ring for three rounds or less, and the women touch gloves before engaging. Kierczynska introduces herself with a head kick that goes wide, and a right hand that does as well. Vandaryeva rushes at her to initiate a clinch, and she gets in several knees before Coste splits them up. Vandaryeva keeps her hands low, tossing kicks high and low until Kierczynska races at her. Before Kierczynska can land a good punch, Vandaryeva grabs hold of a clinch. They are split again, and Kierczynska scores a body kick that makes Vandaryeva adjust her top. The clinch is broken again, and Kierczynska lashes out with several punches until they get too close again. They break up and get back up close, where Kierczynska crowds her with several elbows. Vandaryeva spins with an elbow to mix things up, and Kierczynska takes it flush before they get separated. Vandaryeva lands another spinning shot off the forehead, and she gets crowded and they get split up. Kierczynska is warned for back of the head shots as she strikes and Vandaryeva turns, and after Kierczynska nods in apology, they get back to fighting. Vandaryeva gets up close and personal once more, and she spins with a quick elbow on the inside before Kierczynska grips her and hangs on to the break. The round ends. 10-9 Vandaryeva

Round 2

Kierczynska walks directly into a punch to start the round, and when she tosses out a naked low kick, she gets countered with a right hand over the top. Vandaryeva keeps her range with long kicks, and she counters Kierczynska on the way in with two hooks and dumps Kierczynska to the mat. They stand up, and Kierczynska charges with a pair of punches. Vandaryeva counters, and she continues to adjust her shorts. Vandaryeva lowers her hands and starts showboating and grooving a little, as she avoids the worst blows that come her way while getting off her kicks. Kierczynska reaches her with an overhand right before clinching, and they get hooked in the ropes and separated. Vandaryeva rifles a right hand down the middle, and she spins with an elbow that Kierczynska cannot seem to avoid. Vandaryeva answers an advancing Kierczynska with a right hand on the temple that drops Kierczynska to her knees, and Coste calls a count for the knockdown. Kierczynska does not have her sea legs beneath her when she is met from Vandaryeva’s right hand again, but she maintains her composure after that and a few front kicks. Kierczynska comes up short on a booming kick, and the bell rings. 10-8 Vandaryeva

Round 3

The last round opens up with a front kick from Vandaryeva, who has used it effectively to keep range like a jab. Kierczynska still crowds her and results in a tie-up and separation, and she starts spamming kicks from range to take a page out of Vandaryeva’s playbook. Kierczynska kicks the body and lead leg, and Vandaryeva stumbles before recovering her balance. Vandaryeva lets go with a body kick, and Kierczynska leans forward and grabs her on the back of her hair, to draw a warning from Coste. When they reset, Vandaryeva spins again with an elbow, and she lands a few punches when settling before Kierczynska can get her bearings and come out swinging. Vandaryeva draws a bit of swelling from a one-two on the forehead, and she connects with several knees to the body before they are separated. Vandaryeva get a head kick off, and they clash together and trade knees on the inside. Vandaryeva is feeling herself, and she gets off one more spinning back fist. Kierczynska answers with a spinning back kick that grazes the side. Kierczynska blitzes and swings with punches, and Vandaryeva is right there to get some off too before they clinch. When they split, they trade a few more strikes before the final bell. It could potentially be a close one, depending on how the first and third rounds are scored. 10-9 Vandaryeva (30-26 Vandaryeva)

The Official Result

Ekaterina Vandaryeva def. Martyna Kierczynska via Unanimous Decision

MMA: Jihin Radzuan vs. Chihiro Sawada

Round 1

In an unusual situation, both fighters ahead of this 120-pound MMA bout missed weight. Malaysia’s Radzuan (9-3, 8-3 ONE) clocked in a full four pounds heavy, while Sawada (6-0-1, 1-0 ONE) missed the mark by a fraction of a pound. They agreed to the catchweight, and the fine penalties apparently offset like opposing flags in an NFL game. The final MMA match of the evening will be officiated by referee Herb Dean. Despite the weight issues, the two women clap hands in a sign of respect. Radzuan races out of her corner to move to the center of the ring, and Sawada backs her off with a few swatting low kicks. Radzuan answers with a right hand, and she gives a kick back as well. Sawada chops with another kick, only to get countered with a left. Sawada shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and she bowls Radzuan over and they somersault over one another until Sawada takes top control. Radzuan continues to scramble, and she finds her way on top. Sawada keeps moving, and Radzuan welcomes this so she can sneak around to take the back and get a hook in. Radzuan works the other hook in, and she grips the neck with palm-to-palm until Sawada turns over and surrenders full mount. Radzuan rolls as Sawada twists so she can set up a triangle choke, and she falls to her back and wraps both of her legs around the head. Radzuan hooks the leg under the crook of her knee, and she elbows Sawada off her back. Radzuan hangs on with the choke at the midpoint of the round, and Sawada twists all the way around to somehow escape the sub and get out and back to her feet. Sawada swarms forward, punching her way in and clipping Radzuan before clinching her. Sawada drags an elbow on Radzuan’s forehead and presses heavily against her, and she scores a knee before the break. Sawada considers a level change, and Radzuan stands her up with a punch combination. Radzuan scores a solid left hand down the middle to stun Sawada for a second, and Sawada gets her wind and swings a big left hand. Sawada crashes forward several times, and Radzuan times this explosion repeatedly and elbows her foe in the head. Radzuan catches a front kick and knocks Sawada off her feet, and she considers taking top position before realizing she would be better suited striking. When Sawada stands up, she gets blasted with a left hand, but the unbeaten Japanese woman is tough and comes back throwing. The round ends, and Sawada wipes at her eye out of concern for damage. 10-9 Radzuan

Round 2

The second round opens with Sawada again going for leg-based attacks first. Radzuan meets her right in the middle with her fists, and Sawada charges face-first into the punches and does not budge. Sawada throws back, but Radzuan’s power and accuracy makes her struggle in the early going. Sawada advances and absorbs a left hand, and this same type of “bounce-in to get hit” exchange happens two more times until Sawada realizes she shouldn’t do this. Sawada shoots for a level change, and Radzuan does not get taken down so much as she surrenders the position so she can set up a guillotine choke. When that is not locked in, she quickly changes it to a triangle choke, and then isolates Sawada’s right arm for an armbar. Sawada stays in a position where she can knee Radzuan in the head to try to break up the submission without getting deeper in the submission, and she turns enough to get out of it altogether. Radzuan closes her guard, and Sawada stacks her up and starts pounding on her to break the guard. Sawada slams down a few left hands until she makes it to side control, and she briefly considers north-south position before shifting back to the side where she can line up a knee to the head. Sawada rains down punches and knees from side control, and Radzuan starts shifting and twisting. Sawada locks up Radzuan’s arm, potentially for a kimura or straight armbar, and she uses the leverage in an attempt to take the back. Sawada snatches up the neck for a second as Radzuan scrambles, and the Japanese fighter successfully takes the back and gets both hooks in to fish for a rear-naked choke. Radzuan turns around and gets stuck in a precarious position as Sawada remains in control of her arm, and she absorbs short punches and effective knees to the side of the head and body. Sawada goes after an arm with 30 seconds to go, and Radzuan stands up and kicks at Sawada’s legs while Sawada is on her back. The two play the upkick game until the bell rings. 10-9 Sawada

Round 3

The ladies meet in the middle to start the last frame, and Sawada pushes out several right hands while Radzuan looks for left hand counters. Both women land on one another until Sawada shoots on her hips. Radzuan shuts it down and stands back up, and she snaps the head back with a short series of punches. Sawada wipes her nose after taking a particularly solid left on it, and she spurs into action with a handful of jabs. Radzuan counters her and pushes out a kick to the chest. Radzuan connects with a clean right hand, and Sawada shakes it out and looks for another angle to shoot. Sawada succeeds in landing the double, and she follows a scrambling Radzuan and even flips over once while remaining on top. Radzuan gets to her knees, and Sawada drags her down to her seat and knees her repeatedly. Sawada looks for a choke without getting full control of Radzuan’s back, and Sawada abandons it to elbow her opponent in the side of the head. Radzuan flows all the way over from one side to the other, and Sawada is wise to it and keeps pounding on Radzuan. Sawada clings to the back when Radzuan tries to escape, and she knees Radzuan in the side of the head as Radzuan stands back up and leans on the ropes. Sawada shoots in for a double with 30 seconds left in the fight, and she succeeds in driving through the hips to plant Radzuan on her side. As seconds tick off the clock, Sawada drives knees to the side and hangs on from behind, and the fight ends. 10-9 Sawada (29-28 Sawada)

The Official Result

Chihiro Sawada def. Jihin Radzuan via Unanimous Decision

Muay Thai: Jackie Buntan vs. Martine Michieletto

Round 1

For the first time tonight, an American will take to the ring. Repping California, the 26-year-old Buntan (25-6) collides with “The Italian Queen” Michieletto (49-13). The two arranged ahead of time for this muay thai match to take place at 130 pounds, so there should be no weight issues. With referee Olivier Coste in the ring with them, they bump fists. Buntan initiates offense first with two punches and a body kick, and she backs off to avoid a counter and kicks the side again. Michieletto retaliates with an overhand right, leading to them coming together to try to throw one another to the mat. Before they get there, Coste splits them up. Buntan gets off a solid right hand, and Michieletto pushes off with the ball of her foot and scores a loud body kick of her own. Buntan cracks Michieletto with several short punches on the inside, and she catches a kick when taking a step back. Buntan whiffs on a high kick, and she tries to catch another kick that lands on her chest but cannot grasp it. The two trade kicks one after another, and Buntan surges into action with her fists flying. The resulting clinch draws a separation from Coste, and they both lash out with punches at one another in alternating flurries. They slow down and paw out single kicks, until Buntan swings a heavy right hand. The Italian clinches up, and she just misses a high kick as Buntan bends over to duck away. Buntan bloodies the nose with a short series of punches, and the round ends. 10-9 Buntan

Round 2

Buntan sees an advancing Michieletto coming out of her corner quickly, and she sticks out multiple front kicks. This does not slow the Italian much, who crashes the pocket and drills her with a left and a right. Michieletto scores effectively, only to get driven back by the counters of her opponent. Buntan smashes the nose again with her fists, and as blood sprays from Michieletto’s nose, it appears to be leaking from hers as well. Michieletto loads up on an overhand right, and Buntan ducks it and knees her in the chest. Michieletto pushes out with a kick, and Buntan grabs hold of it and looks for a sweep. Michieletto jumps in the air to prevent it, and ends up falling to the ground. When back upright, she goes after the American, and her face transforms into a crimson mask as she eats flush left hands from her opponent that smear blood all around her face. Buntan beats Michieletto to the punch in a few exchanges, but she circles to the side and gets caught with a right hook. Buntan replies in kind, and she nails the ribcage with a kick. Buntan blasts the nose with a right hand, and she gets pushed back with a front kick and drops to a knee in what is called a slip and not a knockdown. Buntan climbs back up and lays into Michieletto with a left and a right, and red fluid sprays from her nostrils as the round ends. 10-9 Buntan

Round 3

The women do not waste time before getting after it in the final round, as Buntan prods out a kick and lands two punches while Michieletto swings back with a vengeance. A kick from Michieletto is caught and they nearly fall over, but Coste keeps them from going to the ground again. Michieletto aggressively presses forward, and she aims a few kicks to the body before going up to the head. Buntan flicks a kick up high that is barely blocked, and she does the same and lands to plant a left hand on the chin. Both women blast one another with left hands, and Buntan appears stunned for a moment before gathering her thoughts and kicking Michieletto in the head. Michieletto kicks her back in the midsection, and Buntan tries and fails to lands two punches. Buntan kicks high, and she gets shoved against the ropes. Both women land cleanly, and Michieletto hits her harder and makes Buntan take a step back. Michieletto eats an elbow on the cheek and ignores it so that she can continue plodding forward. They tie up, and Coste pushes them apart with 20 seconds left in the fight. The two women trade punches one after the other, and Buntan gets the better of an exchange with a right and a left. She knocks Michieletto back with a left hand, and they clinch up at the bell. This could be anyone’s fight, and a 30-27 score could be potentially issued for either woman without it being a miscarriage of justice. 10-9 Buntan (30-27 Buntan)

The Official Result

Jackie Buntan def. Martine Michieletto via Unanimous Decision

Muay Thai 115-Pound Title Fight:
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues vs. Cristina Morales

Round 1

It is time for championship bouts from here on out. The two 115-pound women’s divisions will be settled in muay thai and kickboxing, and the former’s belt is up for grabs in this one. Champ Rodrigues (32-6) unified the title last year, and she now takes on experienced Spanish contender Morales (49-8) in a five-rounder. Drawing the assignment for this co-main event is referee Olivier Coste, and he brings the ladies together to issue instructions and have them touch gloves before clocking them in. Morales starts the party fast, with a front kick and a number of punches to back Rodrigues off. Rodrigues does not mind, and she gets a few strikes back, but it is Morales leading early with offense. Morales kicks the ribs and knees the other side, and they tie up and spin around in the middle of the cage with knees flying until Coste gets between them. Rodrigues rips a kick to the body, and Morales kicks her back in the midsection. Morales swings hard with punches, driving Rodrigues back, and she eats a few counters before breaking. The oncoming Morales pushes into a clinch, and she resets and meanders forward to kick the ribcage and swing for the fences. Rodrigues is cool and composed, not biting on anything significant or absorbing a painful power punch cleanly. Rodrigues shines up her foe’s cheek with a right hand, and someone loses a piece of hair as they crash together. Morales reaches her opponent with her reaching, lunging strikes, and she knocks the champion back with a pair of punches and comes in with a knee. Rodrigues gets off a body kick before the bell. 10-9 Morales

Round 2

The second round opens with a clap of hands, and they both fire off kicks to follow. Morales kick the body and legs, and Rodrigues does the same. It is a back-and-forth, tit-for-tat approach where Morales strikes, Rodrigues retaliates, Morales gives her a few back, and so on. Rodrigues parries an overhand right, only to get driven back by two punches. Morales crowds her with a punches and knees, and after absorbing them, Rodrigues bends her foe over and knees her in the gut. Morales takes a front kick that knocks her off her feet, and she nods as she hits her seat and stands back up. Rodrigues engages with knees to the body and punches, catching Morales coming in. Morales clips the champ with a left hand, and she knocks Rodrigues back with a left that pounds into the guard. Rodrigues pushes off with another kick to the belly, and she ties Morales up so she can plant several knees to the body. Rodrigues parries a one-two and swipes a left to the body, and a few more knees land before Morales can escape. Morales goes to the body and then then head, and Rodrigues is there to knee her again and again as the crowd chants “knee” every time she lands one. The champ keeps landing knees until the bell. 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 3

There is a glove touch to begin the third round, and Morales is now the one backing off as she throws out punches and kicks. The champion drives forward and knees her a few times until she wraps Morales up in the ropes. Coste has to untangle her, and they reset in the center of the cage, where Morales lets loose with a flurry of punches. Rodrigues slows her down with a Thai clinch and blasts her in the body with a long stream of knees. Coste breaks them up, and Morales does the same approach of racing forward, getting caught in the clinch and kneed until the separation. Morales gets a right hand over the guard, but she takes a foot to the face that bounces her off the corner fencepost. Rodrigues ties her up and knees her a few more times, and the audience views this as an interactive experience as the word “knee” is almost chanted given how many the champ lands. Morales gets away thanks to Coste, and Rodrigues tracks her down and roughs her up with knee after unanswered knee to the body. Rodrigues slides back and lands a body kick while Morales rushes at her, and she grabs Morales and knees her several more times until Coste gets involved to split them. Morales lands a series of punches to the body and head, mixed in, and Rodrigues plants knees on the chest until the bell rings. 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 4

Morales surges out of her corner ready for action, and she lashes out with several punches to back Rodrigues off. Rodrigues counters with knees aplenty, and at every opportunity, she looks to clinch up and knee. Morales gets off several punches before tied up and kneed again. Morales kiais on every strike, and she cracks the champ at the end of a right hand. Rodrigues plods forward fearlessly, grips hold of the Spaniard and knees her in the belly. As if she wants to rearrange Morales’ guts, jams several kicks to the body from either side. Morales retreats, as the latest big kicks start to add up and hurt. Rodrigues gives chase, jumping with a knee to the chest and aiming punches and kicks to the liver. Rodrigues lays into the midsection with a left hand, and Morales fires back to make Rodrigues back off for a moment. Morales tries with all her might to let loose on punches, and Rodrigues sees them coming and counters harder. Rodrigues plants her shin on the stomach of her opponent, and Morales forces a clinch to catch her breath. The challenger lands one single punch before the round comes to a close. 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 5

As if the music person for One were tracking the momentum of this fight, they play “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys between rounds, as this Rodrigues is on fire. The ladies embrace as they enter the last round, and Morales is fresh as a daisy despite taking a pounding to her abdomen. Morales leaps forward with an elbow, and she jabs and swings hard. Rodrigues does not change her rhythm, instead continuing her bombardment of the body when she not connecting up top. Rodrigues fires off a right hand that cuts open the corner of Morales’ left eye, and she drives a few knees to the sternum before Coste splits them up. Rodrigues jams three push kicks on the solar plexus before Morales approaches in a different way, and Rodrigues switches to turn her hips into a kick to the side. Morales takes it like a champ and swings back with bad intentions, chucking bombs that Rodrigues largely dodge with ease. Rodrigues stays on her bike in the final minute, allowing Morales to swing past her or into a clinch. Rodrigues cruises, dinging the challenger with an elbow as Morales races forward furiously. When they split up after a clinch, Rodrigues pushes on her foe’s face carelessly. They trade a few more strikes, and time expires. 10-9 Rodrigues (49-46 Rodrigues)

The Official Result

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues def. Cristina Morales via Unanimous Decision

Kickboxing 115-Pound Title Fight:
Janet Todd vs. Phetjeeja OrMeekhun

Round 1

We have reached the main event, and not a moment too soon. After seven straight decisions, it is up to champion Todd (39-12) in her retirement match to end this event with a bang. To say goodbye to the sport, the 38-year-old faces Phetjeeja (207-6-3) in a title unification battle where either the belt will lay vacant at night’s end or it will sit undisputed around the Thai’s waist. A full 16 years separate the two 115-pound women, and the interim beltholder is coming in as a substantial betting favorite. Referee Olivier Coste will handle the particulars of the main attraction, and the beltholders share a gloves touch before the melee commences. They are cautious to get things going in a big way early, with the two tossing out distance-finding kicks. Phetjeeja rifles off a right hand over the top, and Todd gives her a pair of punches back in response. Phetjeeja sticks out a jab and a front kick, and she maintains a high guard to block the response of a head kick. Phetjeeja beats Todd to the punch with a pair of punches, and she parries three retaliatory blows. Todd catches a body kick, and Phetjeeja is warned for initiating a clinch. A similar exchange ensues, and Phetjeeja is sternly warned for clinching up. Todd sneaks in three punches on the inside, and Phetjeeja tries to clinch and is warned again by Coste. Todd flicks out a few low kicks, and Phetjeeja catches her with a right hand on the temple and a low kick. Todd gives her a kick to the ribs to think about it, but it is one-and-done until she chambers and throws a low kick that spins her around. Phetjeeja eats two punches before doling two back out, and she wraps her foot around the ribcage on both sides before the round concludes. 10-9 Phetjeeja

Round 2

The round begins with matching body kicks from the ladies, and Todd trades furiously with her opponent with kicks high and low, and punches up top. Todd jams a knee up the middle, and she backs off to take a kick on the side so she can toss a head kick up. Todd lands two punches, and she blocks a high kick. A kick on the inner thigh slides up and bumps into the groin of Phetjeeja, but Phetjeeja waves off the accidental foul and gets back in the battle. The two hammer one another with body shots, and after Todd lands a knee, Phetjeeja tries to tie her up only for Coste to shout that they need to knock it off. Phetjeeja scores a body kick and a right over the top, and Todd chips at the lead leg before getting knocked back with a left hand. Both women reset, and Todd reaches her opponent with a left hand. Todd grabs hold of the back of the neck and drags Phetjeeja into a knee, and the women appear to have forgotten this is a kickboxing match and not one in muay thai rules because Phetjeeja dumps her to the mat shortly thereafter. Todd tags Phetjeeja with a right hand and a left hook, and Phetjeeja returns fire and escapes a tie-up. The round ends with Phetjeeja slipping to the side to dodge a punch and land a clean left hand. 10-9 Phetjeeja

Round 3

The Thai strikes first with a front kick up the middle, and Todd pushes her back with a righthand. Phetjeeja scores multiple body kicks, and the two start trading furious leather. Both women drill one another with fiery fists, and Todd is warned twice for pulling Phetjeeja’s neck down to knee her in the face. Phetjeeja does not care, even when this happens another time, but Coste is starting to get more frustrated at them not listening to his instructions. They crash together, and Todd slips as she avoids a right hand that is not called a knockdown. She climbs back up, and she nails Phetjeeja with a right hand. Phetjeeja fires back with an overhand right and a knee, and it is now Phetjeeja who is admonished for the clinches. Todd pushes off the chest with a kick, and she slips a right hand to land one on the temple. Phetjeeja connects with a step-in knee, and Todd is not afraid and fires back with a solid right hand. The Thai aims teep kicks to the body, and she goes up high with a pair of punches before Todd reaches her. Todd absorbs a jump knee and scores a push kick, and Phetjeeja is on her with a number of punches. Todd dodges a swinging high kick by a whisker right before the bell sounds. 10-9 Phetjeeja

Round 4

Coste sternly warns the ladies before the championship rounds begin to stop clinching. Let’s see how that pays off for him. Phetjeeja leads off first with kicks and a lancing right hand, and Todd throws back with bad intentions. Phetjeeja chases the champion around the ring, directing a missile of a right hand into the temple and staggering Todd. They clinch up before Todd goes anywhere, and Coste raises a fuss as he pulls them apart. Phetjeeja reaches with a right hand, and she hooks arms in an exchange to get separated again. Todd pulls down on the back of her opponent’s neck to set up a knee, and this is not allowed. Phetjeeja rips the body and head, and Todd grabs her around the back of the head as Coste is growing increasingly frustrated by the number of times he has had to get involved. They land in fierce exchanges, but it always results in a clinch that Coste stops. Once more, Coste has to separate them and tell them to cut it out. Phetjeeja lashes out with a combination of punches, dislodging the gumshield of the 38-year-old, and Todd is given a moment to pick it up and put it back in. When they resume, Phetjeeja is just a little faster, and hits just a little harder, to beat Todd to the punch and likely pass her in the volume metric. Todd is keeping it close, however. The fourth round ends. 10-9 Phetjeeja

Round 5

The two women signal to the crowd to get it fired up for the last stanza, and then double bump gloves. They proceed to get right after it, throwing punches and body kicks one after the other. They have a brief impromptu moment of Frank Dux vs. Paco, ripping body kicks in alternating fashion, until Phetjeeja breaks it up and throws more until she ties Todd up. Coste shakes his finger at the Thai. Phetjeeja sneaks a high kick up on the shoulder of her opponent, and Todd counters with a left hand. Todd gets Phetjeeja’s attention with a right hand, and when the left glances over the shoulder, it results in a clinch that Coste stops immediately. Todd walks the interim beltholder down, eating a pair of flush jabs and getting off a right hand and a head kick. Todd connects with a left hand over the top, and Phetjeeja meets her with one of her own. Todd swings hard with a right hand, and the Thai counters her with a clean left hand that knocks Todd off her feet. Coste calls the knockdown and a count, and Todd easily is back and good to go. Todd throws kicks from both legs, and Phetjeeja keeps her guard up for everything but two heavy punches from the champion. The two trade huge right hands until a second left, and Todd blasts Phetjeeja in the chin with a vicious knee. The ladies go the distance, and putting an end to a competitive, back-and-forth match. 10-8 Phetjeeja (50-44 Phetjeeja)

The Official Result

Phetjeeja Ormeekhun def. Janet Todd via Unanimous Decision