Matches to Make After ONE on Prime Video 12

One Championship’s ONE on Prime Video 12 was headlined by muay thai, but there was plenty of exciting mixed martial arts on display. Moreover, the furious fights call to mind the famous words of Thomas Hobbes, being “nasty, brutish, and short.” In the co-main, top ONE featherweight contenders collided as Garry Tonon met Shamil Gasanov. Tonon is one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world and came into the fight 7-1, his lone blemish a 56 second knockout loss against then-champion Thanh Le for ONE's lightweight crown in early 2022. Gasanov was a tough opponent, being a perfect 9-0 and no slouch with his own grappling, having scored seven submissions among his victories. Gasanov started strong, frustrating Tonon's wrestling attempts in the first round and hurting him badly with knees. However, Tonon refused to go away, finally sinking in a hideous kneebar halfway through the second stanza.

Elsewhere, former Greco-Roman world champion wrestler Amir Aliakbari returned against Canadian veteran Dustin Joynson. Aliakbari's career had hit a sour point after back-to-back knockout losses early in round 1 to Ji Won Kang and Anatoliy Malykhin in 2021. However, he had recovered with consecutive knockout wins over Mauro Cerilli and former ONE heavyweight champion Brandon Vera. Aliakbari made it three in a row against Joynson, taking him down and ripping him apart with punches until the referee dived in to save the hapless victim less than 2 minutes into the first.

In a battle of undefeated prospects, 26 year-old Ecuadorian Aaron Canarte met 25 year-old Kyrgyzstani Akbar Abdullaev at featherweight. The drama didn't last long, as Abdullaev recorded a gorgeous knockout, hurting Canarte with a spinning back-kick to the bread basket and following it up with a vicious flurry of punches, ending matters in just 41 seconds.

Here are three quality bouts ONE can book for future cards;

“The Lion Killer” adds another victim! 😱😱#OneFightNight12 video: Garry Tonon (8-1, 8-1 ONE) def. Shamil Gasanov (9-1, 1-1 ONE)—Submission (Kneebar) 2:26 R2 pic.twitter.com/dYFqrMx4YB

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) July 15, 2023

Garry Tonon vs. Winner of Kai Tang-Thanh Le 2

Tonon is ranked No. 2 behind former champion Le, also the only man to defeat him, and current champion Kai Tang. Tang and Le were scheduled to fight on this card, but unfortunately, Tang suffered a knee injury. When they do battle, it's only natural that the winner should face Tonon. In either case, it will be a classic striker vs. grappler affair, as Tang and Le have a slew of knockout wins and will be looking to stay standing against Tonon. It went poorly for Tonon the first time against Le, but with Tonon still improving in MMA, there is a good chance he may pull off the submission the second time around against Le or the first time against Tang. At any rate, there will be plenty of brutal blows and a decisive result, if Tonon's career is anything to go by.

Made him tap to punches!#ONEFightNight12 video: Amir Aliakbari (13-3, 3-2 ONE) def. Dustin Joynson (7-2, 1-2 ONE)—TKO (Submission to Punches) 1:48 R1 pic.twitter.com/H8JA1fJ481

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) July 15, 2023

Amir Aliakbari vs. Arjan Bhullar

Bhullar recently lost his heavyweight crown to Malykhin, the same man who viciously knocked out Aliakbari a couple of years ago. The two men battling one another would be a fine top contender's fight to determine who gets a second crack at the Russian king. It would also be very interesting, as both men are wrestlers, but Aliakbari is much better on top of being much larger. However, Bhullar is a more well-rounded mixed martial artist and may have a huge cardio advantage, if Aliakbari's recent outings have been any indication.

Superb technique here on the kick and finish!#ONEFightNight12 Video: Akbar Abdullaev (10-0, 2-0 ONE) def. Aaron Canarte (10-1, 0-1 ONE)—TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches) 0:41 pic.twitter.com/5bS7nL6UsF

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) July 15, 2023

Akbar Abdullaev vs. Martin Nguyen

Abdullaev proved himself an explosive, dangerous striker on this card. After two thunderous knockouts in ONE that took just 44 and 41 seconds each, he should face a higher-caliber striker in No. 4 ranked Martin Nguyen. Nguyen is an action-packed brawler and will be more than willing to trade heavy leather. However, it will be a big step up in competition for Abdullaev, as Nguyen is absolutely capable of hurting the young dynamo. This could be a terrific stand-up showdown in addition to an important contender's duel.