Elbows Propel Unbeaten Evgeniy Antonov Past Islam Kukaev at ONE Friday Fights 66

As soon as Evgeniy Antonov sensed an opening, he unleashed hell.

The undefeated Russian prospect enjoyed a stellar ONE Championship debut, as he took care of Islam Kukaev with a burst of elbow strikes in the first round of their ONE Friday Fights 66 catchweight showcase on Friday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Kukaev (4-2, 0-1 ONE) checked out 4:50 into Round 1.

Antonov (4-0, 1-0 ONE) stayed composed under initial duress. Kukaev executed multiple takedowns and applied his ground-and-pound but failed to corral his counterpart on the canvas. Antonov eventually escaped to his feet and piled up points and damage with crisp combinations before swooping in for a takedown of his own. He then postured in half guard and cut loose with unanswered elbows until the job was done.

The 25-year-old Antonov has finished all four of his opponents, three of them inside one round.

Meanwhile, Torepchi Dongak put away the Hiroto Masuda with a volley of knee strikes and follow-up punches in the first round of their strawweight feature. Masuda (0-1, 0-1 ONE) succumbed to blows 4:39 into Round 1.

Dongkak (2-1, 2-1 ONE) greeted the Japanese newcomer with a series of low kicks, answered takedowns with a few of his own and flexed his superiority on the feet. He backed Masuda into a corner with a pair of knees to the head late in the first round, drove him to the mat in a state of retreat with a right hook-left hook combination and closed it out with unanswered standing-to-ground punches.

In other action, Akram Hamidi wiped out Kongchai Chanaidonmueang with punches 1:41 into the first round of their strawweight muay thai headliner; Rambong Sor Therapat captured a unanimous decision against Muanglao Kiattongyot in their three-round catchweight muay thai co-main event at 128 pounds; Kaotaem Fairtex dispatched Wanpadej Looksuan with punches 1:14 into the second round of their 127-pound catchweight muay thai showcase; Attachai Kelasport swept scorecards ahead of a unanimous decision over Poye Adsanpatong in a three-round catchweight muay thai feature at 121 pounds; Petchuanchom Chor Hapayak eked out a split decision over Singudon Detpetsithong in a 134-pound catchweight muay thai attraction; Rolex Wor Panyawai outpointed Sitrak Por Paidang to a unanimous decision in their three-round catchweight muay thai scrap at 113 pounds; Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri disposed of Mavlud Tifiyev with punches to the body 1:58 into the first round of their 149.8-pound catchweight muay thai affair; Khunsuek Superbon Training Camp was awarded a unanimous verdict over Thway Thit Win Hlaing in a three-round catchweight muay encounter at 157 pounds; Seksan Fairtex took a unanimous decision from Amil Dhahmarzade in a three-round flyweight muay thai pairing; and Miao Aoqi floored Shingo Shibata three times with punches for a technical knockout 1:21 into the second round of their bantamweight muay thai battle.