Kongthoranee Sor Sommai faced Sherzod Kabutov in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 31. The Thai was riding a two fight winning streak coming into this contest while his opponent had lost his last two.
Kongthoranee was able to continue his fine recent form with a clear cut decision win. They traded kicks in the opening minute with both men targeting the legs and body.
The Thai southpaw wanted to land left punches and elbows but was consistently made to miss. A spinning back kick from Kabutov landed flush to the midsection but didn’t seem to bother Kongthoranee.
Kabutov looked to land more spinning strikes at the start of the second round but his radar was off. Kongthoranee had switched to orthodox and was making him miss and then landing hard right kicks on the counter.
Right. On. Target 🎯
Kongthoranee and Sherzod Kabutov face off in an epic main event at ONE Friday Fights 31 in just a few hours 🤩#ONEFridayFights31 | Sep 1 at 7:30PM ICT/8:30AM ET
🌍 Live TV broadcast in 190+ countries (check local listings) pic.twitter.com/aaqNgu73r3— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 1, 2023
Flying knee
Kabutov tried to return the favour after ducking under a high kick but couldn’t capitalize by landing anything. His opponent switched back to southpaw towards the end of the round and scored with more kicks to the midsection.
Kongthoranee started the final round in southpaw and it seemed to suit his opponent who landed some sharp punches. The Thai answered with a left hand of his own and at this stage it was anyone’s game.
The Thai landed a left hook that seemed to stun Kabutov and followed it up with a left elbow from the clinch. Three left hands in quick succession wobbled the man from Kyrgyzstan.
With 30 seconds remaining Kongthoranee landed another elbow with Kabutov’s left eye looking a mess. In the closing stages of the fight he pushed his opponent back and landed a flying knee to the midsection to put the seal on a unanimous decision win.
Kongthoranee 🇹🇭 closes the show with a commanding win over Sherzod Kabutov 💥#ONEFridayFights31
🌍 Live TV broadcast in 190+ countries (check local listings)#ONEChampionship #MartialArts #MuayThai pic.twitter.com/zq1nUVvwrF— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 1, 2023
Best of the rest
As is normal on these events there were numerous stoppages. In the co-main event Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi finished Mongkolkaew Sor Sommai with a thunderous left hook at the start of the second stanza.
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai def. Sherzod Kabutov via Decision (Unanimous)
Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi def. Mongkolkaew Sor Sommai via KO (Left hook) at 0:31 of R2
Sibsan Nokkhao KorMor11 def. Baramee Sujeebameekiew via KO (elbow) at 0:30 of R2
Puengluang Baanramba def. Seksan Fairtex via Decision (Unanimous)
Sornsueknoi FA Group def. Udomlek Nupranburi via TKO (Leg kick) at 2:09 of R1
Tonglampoon Maimornforest def. Apidet Namduemmee77 via Decision (Unanimous)
Alaverdi Ramazanov def. Alessandro Sara KO (Elbow) at 1:39 of R1
Luca Cecchetti def. Huo Xiaolong via Decision (Unanimous)
River Daz def. Nontakit Tor Morsi via Decision (Unanimous)
Nongam Fairtex def. Francisca Vera via Decision (Majority)
MMA: Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu def. Gadzhimurad Gasanguseinov via Decision (Unanimous)
