ONE Fight Night 22 promises an unforgettable night of martial arts action, headlined by the highly anticipated main event between ONE women’s strawweight Muay Thai world champion Smilla Sundell and Russian challenger Natalia Diachkova.
Sundell, a rising star in the sport, has established herself as one of the most dominant fighters in her division. With a string of impressive victories, including triumphs over Diandra Martin, Jackie Buntan, and Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, Sundell has showcased her exceptional striking skills and unwavering determination. At just 19 years old, she has achieved remarkable success, earning the admiration and respect of fans worldwide.
However, her toughest test lies ahead as she faces the relentless Diachkova. Since joining ONE Championship in early 2023, Diachkova has proven to be an unstoppable force, securing four victories, three of them via first-round knockout. Her aggressive style and unforgiving nature have earned her a reputation as a formidable opponent, presenting Sundell with her most significant challenge to date.
In the co-main event, two unbeaten talents, Akbar Abdullaev and Halil Amir, will collide in a featherweight MMA showdown that holds immense implications for the division’s top-five rankings. Abdullaev has maintained an unblemished record throughout his young MMA career, finishing all of his opponents within the distance. He has carried this momentum into ONE Championship, delivering back-to-back knockout victories. However, he will face his toughest test yet in Amir, a skilled fighter who has successfully transitioned to the featherweight division after a successful tenure in the lightweight MMA realm.
Before the main and co-main events, a captivating bantamweight kickboxing affair will take place, featuring former champion Hiroki Akimoto and rising star Wei Rui. Akimoto, eager to regain his title, will look to make a statement against Wei, a highly touted signee who has long been considered a top-10 pound-for-pound striker. Wei, a former K-1 world champion and grand prix champion, makes his ONE debut with the ambition of taking over the world’s largest martial arts organization. A victory over the experienced Akimoto would solidify his status as a legitimate contender for Jonathan Haggerty’s ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title.
Fans can catch all the action of ONE Fight Night 22 live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena from 1 am on Saturday. Alternatively, they can stream the event with NOW, providing instant access to live action from various sports, including the Premier League, EFL, darts, cricket, tennis, and golf.
