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Three Fights We Want To See For Roberto Soldic In ONE Championship

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Just when it seemed like the UFC were going to snap up yet another European superstar, Chatri and the guys at ONE swoop in and make an excellent addition to an ever growing pool of combat phenoms, in the form of Roberto Soldic.

Yes, if you didn’t know, KSW double champ and concensus European mega prospect, Roberto Soldic has signed for Asian giants ONE Championship. With a record of 20-3, 17 of those 20 being via TKO/KO, the 27 year old has already made quite a name for himself and achieved a great deal in the European MMA scene. With titles in SMMAC, FFC, Superior FC and KSW at both welterweight and middleweight, Soldic certainly has the accomplishments to show for his ability and is now seemingly ready to take a step up and showcase his talent on the world stage.

In addition to MMA competition, trying his hand in ONE’s super series divisions for Kickboxing and Muay Thai is something Soldic has mentioned as one of the reasons for his decision to move to ONE. ‘Robocop’ cited fellow Croation Mirko Cro Cop’s success in a number of disciplines as an inspiration for pursuing different avenues, in turn, carving a legacy for himself and his fans.

Now a decision has been made and a home has been found, here are 3 fun match-ups I would love to see Soldic featured in during his time at ONE.

1. Timofey Nastyukhin

Should Roberto choose to compete in ONE’s lightweight division (Which would be welterweight anywhere else) who better to welcome him than the all action Timofey Nastyukhin. Nasty by name and nasty by nature, this is a guy who would compliment Soldic’s high intensity boxing heavy style so well. Yes, the Russian may be coming off two rough losses via finish but he’s Always a tough customer, he gives Soldic a route into the rankings providing ONE don’t give him an instant title shot, as well as utilising a pressure heavy ferocious striking style which would make for an absolute car crash of a contest against a guy with the power and hands of Soldic. Fan friendly, alot to gain for both guys, the perfect matchup should he choose a stint in the lightweight division.

2. Hiroyuki Tetsuka

Former Pancrase champion vs Former KSW champion? Count me in! Not only would Tetsuka be a great test for Soldic in all areas of MMA, this fight would garner a big Asian and European audience, two titans from their respective regions going head to head. Tetsuka walks guys down, hits like a truck, is explosive, strong and has an imposing wrestling game. He’s coming off two vicious finishes on the feet, a one punch KO of Edson Marques and a vicious beatdown TKO over Agilan Thani. Standings wise, Soldic has a lot to gain from a win over a guy as hot as Tetsuka in a division that doesn’t yet have an official set of rankings, besides, who wouldn’t want to see two explosive punchers like these two slinging leather until someone hits the deck? I certainly would.

3. Regian Eersel

Roberto Soldic has already mentioned making the move to super series and his ferocious striking is his method of choice when competing in MMA, it goes hand in hand! Regian Eersel has sat atop the lightweight kickboxing division within ONE for 3 years now and although a seasoned striker and a very difficult enigma to solve, it’s one Soldic will most likely have to solve should he want kickboxing gold too! This striking clash of styles is one I’d love to eventually see, the long rangey Eersel with those dynamic knees, long boxing and thunderous high kicks against the heavy handed pressure approach of Soldic, sure to be fireworks and a test that will give us a true telling as to how good of a striker Soldic really is.

The man has his plan laid out, he has goals to meet and a load of exciting matchups to be had. No matter who he’s matched up against and how well he does, one thing’s for sure, the excitement and entertainment factor will always be there whenever ‘Robocop’ marches into battle!

How far do you see Soldic going in the disciplines ONE has to offer?

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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