Swedish fighter Smilla Sundell achieved an impressive victory over Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22, despite facing significant challenges in the lead-up to the bout. Sundell failed to meet the weight requirement for the fight, exceeding the limit by 1.5lbs (0.68kg), resulting in the forfeiture of her strawweight Muay Thai title. Additionally, due to the nature of the match being non-title, she missed out on a US$50,000 bonus and was required to relinquish 30 per cent of her fight purse to Diachkova.
In the initial stages of the fight, Diachkova managed to gain the upper hand, landing powerful punches in the opening round, which visibly impacted Sundell’s left eye. However, Sundell mounted a comeback in the second round, delivering a decisive blow to Diachkova’s body, ultimately causing her to be incapacitated and fall out of the ring as a result of knee strikes to the body. The referee intervened and halted the contest at the 2:59 mark, marking an impressive turnaround for Sundell.
Despite facing adversity, Sundell exhibited unwavering determination, stating, “She got me, I saw double first round but I knew I could not lose. I really like to win and that’s what I did.” Furthermore, she expressed her determination to reclaim her strawweight title and emphasized the importance of being given sufficient notice for her next fight to ensure she meets the weight requirements.
In the co-main event, undefeated featherweights Akbar Abdullaev and Halil Amir competed, with Abdullaev maintaining his flawless record by securing a second-round knockout victory over Amir. The Chinese fighters experienced varying degrees of success, as Wei Rui narrowly defeated former champion Hiroki Akimoto in their bantamweight kickboxing bout, while Hu Yong suffered a split decision loss to Reece McLaren.
The event also featured Maurice Abevi securing a decision victory over Zhang Lipeng in the lightweight fight, positioning himself for potential advancement in the division. Additionally, in the women’s atomweight division, Chihiro Sawada showcased her championship potential by dominating Noelle Grandjean and earning a one-sided decision win.
Sundell’s triumph, coupled with the compelling matchups at ONE Fight Night 22, undoubtedly captivated fans and showcased the tenacity and skill of the competing athletes. With standout performances and memorable moments, the event underscored the fierce competition and unwavering determination within the world of martial arts.