Excitement is at its peak as ONE Championship makes its grand debut in the vibrant country of Qatar. The stage is set, the fighters are primed, and fans worldwide eagerly anticipate a morning filled with adrenaline-pumping action. Get ready to witness history in the making as the Lusail Sports Arena transforms into the epicenter of MMA excellence. Let’s delve deeper into the electrifying matchups that await us at ONE 166.
The Main Event: De Ridder vs. Malykhin II
At the pinnacle of the event lies a titanic clash between two formidable warriors: Reinier de Ridder and Anatoly Malykhin. De Ridder, known as “The Dutch Knight,” enters the fray as the defending middleweight champion, seeking redemption after suffering his only career defeat at the hands of Malykhin. The Dutch sensation faces an uphill battle as he strives to reclaim his lost honor and retain his championship belt. On the opposite end of the spectrum stands Malykhin, the Russian knockout artist whose meteoric rise to stardom has been nothing short of spectacular. With the taste of victory fresh on his lips, Malykhin sets his sights on etching his name in the annals of MMA history by securing a historic third divisional belt. As the tension mounts and anticipation reaches a fever pitch, fans can expect nothing short of an epic showdown between these two behemoths.
Featherweight Showdown: Kai vs. Le II
In a rematch destined to captivate audiences worldwide, featherweight titans Tang Kai and Thanh Le prepare to do battle once more. Kai, the reigning champion, finds himself faced with the daunting task of defending his title against the formidable Le. Having emerged victorious in their previous encounter, Kai aims to solidify his status as the nation’s first male MMA world champion with another triumph over his American-Vietnamese adversary. However, standing in his way is the resilient and determined Le, whose hunger for redemption knows no bounds. With the interim title on the line, both fighters are prepared to leave every ounce of sweat and determination in the Circle as they vie for supremacy in one of MMA’s most fiercely contested divisions.
Clash of Strawweights: Brooks vs. Pacio
As if the main and co-main events weren’t enough to satisfy fans’ appetites for action, the undercard promises to deliver its fair share of excitement. Among the standout matchups is a clash between elite strawweights Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio. Brooks, a former UFC standout, looks to make a statement by vanquishing Pacio, who seeks redemption after falling short in their previous encounter. With both fighters hungry for victory and eager to prove themselves on the grandest stage of them all, expect nothing short of a breathtaking display of skill, determination, and heart.
As the clock ticks closer to the opening bell, anticipation continues to build, and excitement reaches a fever pitch. MMA enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await the unfolding of these epic battles, where champions will rise, legacies will be forged, and history will be made. Stay tuned as we bring you live updates, in-depth analysis, and unparalleled coverage of ONE 166. Let the games begin!
Ahead of this morning’s event in Qatar, see the full ONE 166 card and broadcast information below, and be sure to check back later for the results and all the highlights as they come!
ONE 166 Results & Highlights
Full Card (Prime Video/YouTube, 7:30 AM ET/4:30 AM PT):
- Middleweight MMA Championship: Reinier de Ridder (C) ?? vs. Anatoly Malykhin ??
- Featherweight MMA Championship: Tang Kai (C) ?? vs. Thanh Le (IC) ????
- Strawweight MMA Championship: Jarred Brooks (C) ?? vs. Joshua Pacio ??
- Heavyweight MMA: Arjan Bhullar ?? vs. Amir Aliakbari ??
- Catchweight (147lbs) Boxing: Zuhayr Al-Qahtani ?? vs. Mehdi Zatout ??
- Flyweight Submission Grappling: Osamah Almarwai ???? vs. Cleber Sousa ??
- Catchweight (147.25lbs) Muay Thai: Zafer Sayik ?? vs. Vladimir Kuzmin ??
- Flyweight Muay Thai: Zakaria El Jamari ?? vs. Ali Saldoev ??
- Bantamweight Muay Thai: Shinji Suzuki ?? vs. Han Zi Hao ??
- Strawweight MMA: Keito Yamakita ?? vs. Jeremy Miado ??
