There’s a saying that persons are keen on citing this time of yr and it’s one that matches our topic right now fairly completely: “March goes in like a lion and out like a lamb.” This March, the roar is louder than ever, and it’s roaring somewhat sooner than regular.
March 1 sees the start of a brand new month of MMA and ONE Championship wastes no time getting the joy underway proper on the break of day. Friday morning, the nation of Qatar holds its first-ever ONE Championship occasion, ONE 166. Not like common, you don’t have to fork over the cash forward of time to look at the present.
This week, Amazon Prime Video affords ONE 166 reside and free to subscribers of the streaming service. All it’s essential to do is get your self off the bed within the morning and seize your Hearth pill (if you happen to’ve received one). After, simply go to your Prime Video app. No extra, no much less.
Stay protection of this fight sports activities extravaganza kicks off at 7:30 am ET/ 4:30 am PT and encompasses a full 10-fight card throughout the disciplines. It even encompasses a contracted catchweight (147 lbs.) in boxing.
Rematch the Focus for ONE 166 Co-Most important Occasion
You’ll don’t have any fewer than three MMA title fights on the high of the invoice, all with a recurring theme: Rematches and revenge. Instantly following a contest for the strawweight championship (125 lbs.)between titleholder Jarred Brooks (20-2 MMA, 4-0 ONE Championship) and No. 1 contender Joshua Pacio (21-4 MMA, 12-4 ONE Championship), the scene shifts to the featherweight class (155 lbs.)
Be aware: ONE Championship’s weight courses are based mostly upon a fighter’s common on a regular basis weight versus prescribed figures because it pertains to the weigh-ins and has long-banned dehydration as a way of reducing weight.
Present ONE Featherweight Champion Tang Kai (18-2 MMA, 7-0 ONE Championship) takes on ONE Interim Featherweight Champion Thanh Le (14-3 MMA, 6-1 ONE Championship) to unify the 155-lb. belt. As with most MMA championship bouts, the ONE 166 co-main occasion is an marketed most of 5 rounds at 5 minutes per spherical.
The Sequence So Far
Tang Kai leads the collection in opposition to Thanh Le 1-0. Again on Aug. 26, 2022, Tang scored a unanimous determination win over Le after 5 rounds in ONE 160 on YouTube from Singapore. How will the rematch play out?
There can solely be ONE ☝ Will Tang Kai or Thanh Le depart ONE 166: Qatar because the undisputed featherweight MMA king? @ThanhLeMMA#ONE166: Qatar introduced by @VisitQatar @MediacityQa @OoredooQatarMarch 1 at 3:30PM AST🎟️ Tickets: https://t.co/x9abdwhOHqhttps://t.co/U823ZzUDZT pic.twitter.com/b164R811SM
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 27, 2024
ONE 166 Co-Most important Occasion Fighter Comparability
Heading into the ONE 166 co-main occasion on Friday morning, Tang Kai stands because the taller man at 5-foot-10, in comparison with the 5-foot-9 body of Thanh Le. The interim champion owns a 2.1-inch attain benefit (74.5 inches to 72.4 inches) over the everlasting titleholder.
Tang Kai Returns After 18 Months Away
Tang Kai enters the ONE 166 co-main occasion having gone 5-0 in his final 5 fights. All advised, he’s on an 11-fight profitable streak predating his time in ONE. With a view to discover the final time that he sustained a defeat, you’d have to return to April 6, 2017, when he dropped a three-round determination vs. Asikeerbai Jinensibieke.
Earlier than the unique battle in opposition to Thanh Le in August of 2022, he scored a first-round knockout (punches) of Kim Jae Woong (13-8 MMA, 4-5 ONE Championship) in March of the identical yr.
Tang was presupposed to have fought Le on July 14 final yr throughout ONE on Prime Video 12 for the unique essential occasion, however the battle was scrubbed after he suffered a knee damage. The pairing was rebooked right here, somewhat over 18 months after his final contest.
Having recovered from his damage, can he return to the winner’s circle and unify the title? Tune in and discover out.
Thanh Le Needs Violence in ONE 166 Most important Occasion
Within the different nook, Thanh Le comes into this co-headliner on a file of 4-1 in his final 5 fights. Final trip, he returned to the win column with a first-round submission (heel hook) of Ilya Freymanov (12-3 MMA, 2-1 ONE Championship) on Oct. 6 throughout ONE on Prime Video 15.
Throughout a current interview with ONE, Le talked about how he needs this title battle rematch to go down.
“It’s going to be a end,” Le started. “I’m not doing one other determination in my complete profession. Whether or not he was pleased with it or not- I’m certain he was as a result of he ended up getting a belt that night- that’s not occurring once more. We’re going to return in scorching, press the motion, and he’s going to really feel my energy early. I’ll be trustworthy with you. If we get out of the primary spherical, I’ll be shocked. He’s going to sleep, and he’s going to sleep early.”
A assured assertion from the interim champion for sure, however can he ship?
Evaluation, Movie Research, and Prediction
Whereas each of those fighters can strike their strategy to a victory, the sting is given to Thanh Le as a consequence of his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and fifth dan black belt in taekwondo, whereas Tang Kai is a boxer and wrestler.
Watch Tang Kai’s Kicking Sport
Typically in MMA, very like in gridiron soccer, the kicking recreation might be the distinction between a win and a loss. Tang Kai’s kicking recreation is fierce, as was illustrated throughout his battle in opposition to Lee Sung Jong in 2019.
Spherical two of the battle noticed Tang pepper Lee with a few leg kicks earlier than going upstairs and connecting on a kick to the pinnacle, knocking him out on contact. If Tang Kai can arrange a knockout with leg kicks, he’ll defend the title with no trouble on Friday.
Thanh Le Can Additionally Make Fast Work of an Opponent
Within the different nook, Thanh Le can also be identified to complete a man in brief order. One want look no additional than his battle in opposition to Yusup Saadulaev in Could of 2019.
The second spherical of a scheduled three solely lasted 12 seconds because of Le scoring a crisp kick to Saadulaev’s head to place him on the canvas straightaway. If Le can tee up a pleasant kick, this battle might be over earlier than you possibly can end a second cup of espresso.
Ultimate Ideas
Though this one isn’t the principle occasion, it simply could be essentially the most brutal battle throughout ONE 166 early Friday morning. Do your self a favor and don’t miss it.
Prediction: Thahn Le by Third-Spherical TKO.
