Features

---

Luke Lessei's ears rang like church bells throughout his slugfest against Jo Nattawut in December, although it was not the most shocking sound the American thai boxer heard that night in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Unfazed by the boos and jeers directed his way before his ONE Championship debut, Lessei expected the Thai fanbase to exalt their hero and vilify the 27-year-old former Fed-Ex driver from Iowa. After preparing for a hostile welcome, however, Lessei was in disbelief when the same crowd changed its tone nine thrilling minutes later.
 

Reinier de Ridder’s shot at revenge does not come without a risk. His middleweight title will be on the line when he rematches Malykhin at ONE 166 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail, Qatar. His thirst for redemption may not be enough to stop Malykhin’s quest for a third title. 

Oktagon MMA women’s strawweight champion Katharina Dalisda will go on the hunt for her first successful title defense when she rematches Evan Dourthe in the Oktagon 53 main event this Saturday at Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.  

Despite an underwhelming finale, Saturday’s card produced highlight reel finishes and exciting performances from several fan favorites. Here’s the good, bad and the ugly from UFC Fight Night 325. 

Tommy Langaker has been in rare form since he lost to Kade Ruotolo in July. Fueled by the disappointment of dropping a disputed decision, the 29-year-old Norwegian grappler won 14 of his next 15 matches and tore through the middleweight division to claim gold at the December International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championships.

However, the satisfaction from one world title isn’t enough. Langaker wants redemption. 

The 26-year-old English striker is already a fan favorite, but he plans to deliver a show that will not be forgotten across the British Iles at ONE Fight Night 18 this Friday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Muay Thai prodigy Johan Ghazali, at just 17 years of age, should draw plenty of consideration as ONE Championship's prospect of the year. In just 10 months, the promotion’s youngest signee has rattled off four impressive victories and a trio of nasty knockouts. 

 Cyberbullying is a growing concern in schools around the world, and it’s one that Tom DeBlasse is ready to grapple with. 

Mikey Musumeci may be one of the best grapplers on the planet, but he has a keen eye for striking as well, and he isn’t shy about comparing his ONE Championship roster mates to the talent on offer in other organizations. 

Sadibou Sy finds himself in the same spot he was in 2022, but you will hear no complaints from the “Swedish Denzel Washington.” Who would grumble about the chance to claim another $1 million? 

PFL featherweight darkhorse contender Jesus Pinedo believes a return to his roots will be the difference in the rematch with undefeated Gabriel Braga. 

Jordan Tennyson's sixth mixed martial arts fight was a traumatic experience. Not for him, though. That sensation was reserved for the unconscious, unmoving, unlucky combatant who crossed him on his journey to MMA stardom.