ONE: ‘First Strike’ took place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night and featured the semi finals of the featherweight Grand Prix. The four fights produced plenty of action with three finishes.
Chingiz Allazov needed just 39 seconds to put Samy Sana away and the French fighter wanted the fight stopped sooner. He was rocked by a head kick in the opening exchange and never recovered.
Allazov was ruthless and as Sana tried to wave off the fight he set about finishing him with fast punching combinations to the body and head. The Belarusian booked his semi final spot in the most impressive style possible.
Numerous knockdowns
Davit Kiria didn’t need much longer to dispense with Enriko Kehl. He came out swinging and succeeded in knocking the German down three times in the opening round to book his semi final spot.
Marat Grigorian was taking on two time K-1 Max winner Andy Souwer who found himself on the canvass in the opening 30 seconds. It was a flash knockdown but left the Dutchman with a mountain to climb on the scorecards.
To his credit Souwer continued to try and pressure Grigorian with punches to the head and body while circling away. But the Armenian had a clear advantage in terms of power which he demonstrated at the start of the second, dropping the Dutchman with a left hand.
It was a flash knockdown but Souwer seemed to be complaining about his leg. The Dutchman appeared to announce his retirement after the fight and confirmed he was unable to continue after damaging his shin.
Close contest
The final fight featured Sittichai Sitsongpeenong who was matched with Tayfun Özcan. Unlike the other contests this one was close with the Thai moving forwards while the Turkish fighter looked to counter strike.
Özcan sneaked a few punches through his opponent’s guard but ate numerous body kicks and ultimately Sittichai was awarded the split decision win. He faces Davit Kira in one semi final while Grigorian takes on Allazov in the other.
ONE: ‘First Strike’, Singapore, October 16th
Kickboxing: Superbon Banchamek def. Giorgio Petrosyan by KO (Head Kick) at 0:20 of R2 (Wins featherweight title)
Kickboxing: Marat Grigorian def. Andy Souwer by TKO (Injury) at 2:26 of R2 (Featherweight Grand Prix 1/4 Final)
Kickboxing: Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong def. Tayfun Özcan by Decision (Split) (Featherweight Grand Prix 1/4 Final)
Kickboxing: Chingiz Allazov def. Samy Sana by KO (Punches) at 0:39 of R1 (Featherweight Grand Prix 1/4 Final)
Kickboxing: Davit Kiria def. Enriko Kehl by TKO (Three knockdowns) at 2:50 of R1 (Featherweight Grand Prix 1/4 Final)
Kickboxing: Rade Opacic def. Patrick Schmid by TKO (Four knockdowns) at 1:19 of R2
