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Nong-O Thinks Akimoto Will Cause An Upset At ONE X

LockerRoom Team
22 March 2022

Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, will defend his title against Felipe "Demolition Man" Lobo on ONE X next Saturday, 26 March, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

His teammate Hiroki Akimoto will fight on the same card, challenging Capitan Petchyindee for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship, and Nong-O is confident Akimoto will bring the belt home.

“I think it's a good match. It should be fun and exciting. If I were to compare fighting experience, Capitan has more fights, but Hiroki keeps improving in his kickboxing. I train with Hiroki every day. His style is pure kickboxing. He has more kickboxing experience,” Nong-O said of his Evolve MMA stablemate.

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Both of the Singapore-based competitors will be a facing serious challenge in the Circle on March 26.

Nong-O will be looking for his fifth successive title defense, as well as his 263rd win, which is a significant accomplishment for an athlete that has fought well over 300 times and earned both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Muay Thai World Championships. 

His opponent, Brazilian powerhouse Lobo, has been quickly climbing the ranks, though, in the hopes of toppling Nong-O from his throne.

Akimoto, as the kickboxing bantamweight challenger, earned his title shot after four straight victories that ended in impressive decisions. The Evolve athlete is a former world WFKO kyokushin karate champion and WBC Muay Thai Japan featherweight champion. He once held a record of 19-0 with 10 KOs. 

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Akimoto has defeated talented opposition like Yosuke Morii, Zhang Changlong, and Qiu Jianliang. Now, he faces his toughest challenge in the “One-Punch Man” Capitan, who earned the nickname after his six-second knockout of Petchtanong Petchfergus in 2020.

The two bouts are part of ONE X, which has become so big that it is now divided into three sections: Part I of ONE X, Part II of ONE X, and Part III of ONE X: Grand Finale. Part II will have Nong-O and Lobo as the main event, with Akimoto and Capitan as the co-main.

Fans can watch ONE X: Part II at watch.onefc.com. Also, check your local listings for the global broadcast

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