Seventeen seconds. That was all Nazareth Lalthazuala needed to introduce himself to the ONE Championship world.
The undefeated Indian strawweight floored Japan's Masaki Suzuki in his promotional debut last November, announcing his arrival in the most emphatic way possible. On February 27, the 25-year-old from Mizoram gets the chance to prove it was no fluke.
Lalthazuala returns to Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, for ONE Friday Fights 144, where he faces Philippines' Jake Bron in a strawweight MMA contest. Bron brings a 6-2 record and makes his ONE Friday Fights debut, representing a meaningful step up in competition for the Indian.
Looking back on his stunning debut, Lalthazuala's reaction was one of gratitude mixed with the competitive instinct of a fighter who always wants more.
"I was very happy and it's a dream come true moment and thank you, Jesus, and my family, and my gym. I wanted to play all three rounds. But I hit him very hard," he said.
The Dojang MMA representative carries a perfect 6-0 MMA record into the contest and has already done his homework on what Bron brings to the table. He sees a clear path to victory.
"I am very excited. I am ready. My opponent is a very good fighter, and it will be a very good fight. He likes wrestling, but I have better wrestling. I will win," Lalthazuala said.
What stands out about the young fighter from Mizoram is not just his finishing ability but the foundation beneath it. He speaks about his mental approach with a conviction that suggests his 17-second debut was the opening chapter of something much larger.
"My biggest strength is my mindset. I don't give up. I will try to win bonus and give the best fight. One day I will be the World Champion," he said.
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