Shannon Wiratchai returned to the ring after a two and a half year absence at ONE Friday Fights 3. The charismatic Thai featherweight finished Puriya Golpour in the first round at Lumpinee Stadium.
The Iranian looked to land an early takedown and soon succeeded in putting Wiratchai on his back. The Thai spent most of the first four minutes defending takedown attempts and received a yellow card after using the ropes to stay on his feet.
The strategy was arguably successful as the referee reset the two fighters on their feet in the middle of the ring. But towards the end of the round Golpour seemed to run out of steam and Wiratchai started to come on strong.
Following a scramble Golpour found himself on his back and Wiratchai started to attack with ground and pound. The Iranian was able to move his head and either evade or block the strikes but the referee decided to stop the fight anyway.
The finish came at the 4:33 mark and sees Wiratchai improve to 11-6-0-1 while his opponent falls to 4-3. Afterwards the winner addressed the audience in Thai, English and Khmer.
"OneShin" is BACK! Shannon Wiratchai 🇹🇭 stops Poriya Golpour at the end of a WILD Round 1! 🔥#ONEFridayFights3
🔴 Live broadcast in 170+ countries
🌍 Watch Live ➡️ https://t.co/6kU7Pv1CVU pic.twitter.com/mVGSBVzHc1— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 3, 2023
Best of the rest
There was also a premature looking finish in the fight between Alisson Barbosa (20-8) and Elliot Compton (1-1). The Brazilian had an arm triangle choke which looked deep but not deep enough for the Australian to tap.
The referee decided to err on the side of caution and call off the contest before the Australian submitted. Barbosa improves to 20-8 while Compton, who is better known as a Muay Thai fighter than a mixed martial artist, drops to 1-1.
ONE Friday Fights 3, Bangkok, February 3rd
Phetsukumvit Boibangna def. Chorfah Tor.Sangtiennoi via Decision (Unanimous)
Kickboxing: Elbrus Amirkhanovich def. Paedsaenlek PKSaenchaigym via KO (Spinning back kick) at 1:41 of R1
Kongchai Chanaidonmuang def. Kritpetch P.K.Saenchai via KO (Body kick and punches) at 2:15 of R1
Ilyas Musaev def. Phanrith Lookjaomaesaiwaree via KO (Punch) at 1:03 of R2
Yu Yau Pui def. TheStar SitChor via KO (Punches) at 1:12 of R2
Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong def. Mustafa Al Takreeti via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Shannon Wiratchai def. Puriya Golpour via TKO (Punches and elbow) at 4:33 of R1
Alexandru Bublea def. Alan Yauny via Decision (Unanimous)
Alisson Barbosa def. Elliot Compton via Technical Submission (Arm-triangle choke) at 2:29 of R1
Dokmaipar Fairtex def. Barbara Aguiar via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Ivan Parshikov def. Dimitry Babkin via Decision (Unanimous)
