One Championship's Greatest Comebacks: Banpar Kouyaté, Roman Kryklia, Christian Lee, and Jonatha

In this edition of One Weekly, we relive the most incredible comebacks in recent history, featuring Banpar Kouyaté, Roman Kryklia, Christian Lee, and Jonathan Haggerty. Welcome to One Weekly. One Championship has witnessed numerous jaw-dropping actions where the most relentless athletes have redefined the art of a comeback in the world of martial arts. In July 2024, French national Muay Thai champion Banpar Kouyaté squared off against Luke "The Chef" Lisie. Both men kept a close distance, but it was "The Chef" who started to take over.

Now Lisie backing up Kouyaté, they're in the clinch now. Kouyaté fires off the roundhouse kicks. And Lisie trying to get close with the elbows. Sticking out the jab, long-range weapon. However, Kouyaté showed heart in the final round. Comes out to the center of the ring, they both embrace. Third and final round. By the way, Muay Thai number five ranked contender, Luke Lisie, matching up against Banpar Kouyaté who has looked exceptional here tonight at One Fight Night 23. And immediately, a straight left to the BODY AND KOUYATé WITH A BODY KICK AS WELL.

AND YOU see the father of Luke Lisie, Dean Lisie, telling him, "Come forward. LET'S GO." WITH LONG-RANGE WEAPONS, LOOK AT THAT. Comes underneath the hook to evade. Good counter striking, he's a sniper on the back foot. It's Kouyaté. Lisie still is trying to find his opening, but at this point, Mitch, you got to think THAT HE JUST GOT TO BE ABLE TO GO IN THERE AND JUST START throwing strikes. Time is not on his side. As he's coming in, he can't attack. He has to have an adjustment process. RIGHT HAND. OKAY.

WE'LL SEE IF THIS IS THE OPENING THAT LISIE has been waiting for. That's how you create the opening. You force it. You kick that door open. You can't jiggle the key, and you kick the door open, and you come marching forward. Lisie now has Kouyaté on his back foot. He's got under two minutes remaining to GO TO WORK. AND this is what we've seen from Lisie in the past. He really turns things on in the later part of a fight, but is it too little, too late? Can he find the knockout SHOT AS WE APPROACH THE HALFWAY POINT?

KOUYATé'S GOT HIM ON TOP. DOWN HE GOES. NOW HE'S GOT TOP SIDE. WELL, HE WILL RISE BACK UP. REFEREE'S COUNTING. OH, HE'S COUNTING. BIG KNOCKDOWN. LUKE LISIE STORMING HERE IN BANGKOK, GETTING THE WIN AND POTENTIALLY FINISHING OFF BANPAR KOUYATé. KOUYATé'S TRYING TO HOLD ON. ANOTHER BIG ELBOW. LISIE TRYING TO POUR ON. HERE IS LISIE. DOWN GOES LISIE. OH MY GOODNESS. KOUYATé DROPPED HIM WITH AN UPPERCUT.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE BY KOUYATé WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WIN AS HE stops the number five contender from America, LUKE LISIE. YOUR winner by way of technical [screaming] Two-sport world champion Roman Kryklia is another athlete who participated in one of the most heart-stopping striking showdowns with Iranian star Iraj Azizpour. Only one will survive. For the first time ever, FOUR OF THE HIGHEST-LEVEL HEAVYWEIGHT KICKBOXERS ON the planet, the heavyweight kickboxing world Grand Prix.

The biggest world Grand Prix in One history has reached its finale. Unorthodox, explosive, absolutely no doubt about it, Iraj Azizpour advances to the final. Roman Kryklia is just spectacular. GUTO INOCENTE IS HURT. IT'S OVER. ROMAN KRYKLIA ANNIHILATES Guto Inocente. Advances to the final to take on the last man to beat him, Iraj Azizpour. It all comes down to one massive battle. Two giants, the heavyweight world Grand Prix THAT HAPPENS TONIGHT. IRAJ AZIZPOUR.

It's excitement personified. So much fun to watch. The tale OF POWER, ROMAN KRYKLIA, THE light heavyweight kickboxing world champion, arguably the best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world. Kryklia is just too good. He is just too I was waiting for this. I'm ready. Heavyweight division, I want to have two belts. Roman Kryklia, Iraj Azizpour, the heavyweight kickboxing world Grand Prix championship. Azizpour charged forward and put the Ukrainian star in trouble. Closest to beating him, A HIGH KICK FROM AZIZPOUR. AND THE BODY SHOT, ROMAN'S

GOING TO MOVE. ROMAN'S BEEN TAGGED. BODY SHOT, OVERHAND RIGHT. HERE COMES IRAJ. HERE COMES THE BATTERING RAM. AND KRYKLIA IS GOING TO GET OUT OF THERE. THE LOW THOUGH ON KRYKLIA. BODY SHOT FROM IRAJ. LEFT HOOK FROM IRAJ. KRYKLIA WEARING THE LEATHER IN THE FIRST ROUND. AZIZPOUR A HOUSE ON FIRE. Iraj is sensing it, he's feeling it. The smile is gone, the serious face has taken over. Right hand lead FROM ROMAN. OH, HE CAUGHT HIM BEHIND THE HEAD.

HIM. HE'S DROPPED HIM. FOR THE FIRST time in his career, Kryklia looked vulnerable, but he was far from finished. Second round. What a gripping first. Iraj Azizpour dropping Roman Kryklia. Kryklia needs to recover, recover fast, regain his composure, and start working behind the jab. Where were the hands in the first round from Roman Kryklia? He came out with all legs. He's got to start boxing Azizpour here. And there's the jab. Jab two. High kick from Azizpour. Overhand right. ROMAN TOUCHES THE CHIN. ROMAN GOES THE BODY. ROMAN GOES THE ROUND KICK.

[groaning] AND CATCHING SWEEP THERE FROM IRAJ, NOT PERMITTED UNDER THESE KICKBOXING RULES. Stern words from Elias Dolaptsis. Roman's having early success, but he's got to be careful of that right hand. He's got to stick that left hand on his chin and not let it go anywhere. It's not the usual FLUENCY OF THE HANDS WE EXPECT from Roman Kryklia. Kryklia edging forward, inside thigh kick from Roumrou Profounda. Snaps out the jab. Where's the right hand? Overhand right there from Iraj. There's the left HAND FROM ROMAN. THAT was a sticking right hand. BUT HE'S DROPPING HIS LEFT. HE'S GOT TO

BE CAREFUL DROPPING HIS LEFT HAND. OVERHAND RIGHT FROM KRYKLIA. HERE WE GO, TOE-TO-TOE. [screaming] KNEE. LEFT HAND. OH, HE'S ROCKED HIM. HE'S GOT TO GET HIM BACK. IRAJ IS DOWN. [screaming] IRAJ IS DOWN. THE COUNT'S ON. HE MAY NOT MAKE IT. [screaming] HE GETS UP. OH. OH, HERE THEY GO AGAIN. OH, ROMAN'S FEELING IT. KRYKLIA JUMPS ON HIM. IT'S OVER. IT'S [screaming] OVER. IT'S OVER. YOUR winner by way of technical KNOCKOUT [screaming] AND NEW ONE HEAVYWEIGHT KICKBOXING WORLD GRAND PRIX CHAMPION, Roman Kryklia. [screaming] MORE epic action is coming your way on

April 29th as One Championship launches its newest Japanese series, One Samurai. A Japanese legend's last stand. Kickboxing icon Takeru and the iron man Rodtang clash in a highly anticipated rematch in Tokyo. OH, WHAT A SHOT. DOWN HE GOES. PLUS, JAPAN'S next generation of warriors prepare for battle. WOW. On April 29th, a new era in Japanese martial arts begins. One Samurai. Still to come, jaw-dropping action from the world's greatest athletes. You are watching ONE Weekly. ONE Championship continues to be the home of the world's greatest martial arts action, including stunning comebacks that will be forever etched in history.

When Christian Lee and Kiamrian Abbasov battled for the welterweight MMA world title, fireworks were guaranteed. For a long time, the world underestimated Christian Lee. When I first started my career, I couldn't have imagined that I would be where I am today. People said he couldn't do it. Said the kid won't last. Growing up in a family of martial artists, that's what helped me get such an early start to my career. The Lee family are truly representative of the martial arts world. And that's what has brought Christian this level of success. My goal was always to be the best in the world.

The most wins in ONE history. The most finishes in ONE history. To be the world champion. He is the best lightweight on the planet. My next goal is to become a two-division world champion. The warrior is moving up to take on his biggest challenge yet. Kiamrian Abbasov has been terrorizing the welterweight division. He can put you out at a moment's notice. Each time I step into the circle, I treat every fight ahead of me as the biggest one. Not only will I be moving up in weight, but I'll be facing a very dangerous competitor.

Going into this fight as the underdog, I see this as a complete war. Please, stop fight. There's no place to go but up. Having the same success in the welterweight division as in the lightweight division. Becoming a double champ will be the biggest moment in my career. Abbasov nearly finished the fight early when he landed a massive left hook in the first round. A weak miss is TO HAVE A DOMINANT AUTHORITY. IT GOES LEE. LEE IN TROUBLE. HEAVY RIGHTS TO THE FACE FROM ABBASOV FOLLOWED by a knee. He's going to survive this, but man, he's he's hurt.

Lee back to his feet. He's wobbled. 1:50 TO GO STILL. PLENTY OF TIME IN ROUND ONE FOR ABBASOV TO TRY TO FINISH THIS THING. ABBASOV WITH A HEAVY LEFT. PICKING HIS SHOTS, choosing the uppercuts and the hooks. Not really emptying out the gas tank. Just picking his SHOTS AND LANDING BIG, BIG PUNCHES. HUGE SHOTS. CAN LEE SURVIVE IT? HE'S OUT ON HIS FEET. LEE IS OUT ON HIS FEET RIGHT NOW.

HE NEEDS A SHOOT. HE needs a takedown. He can't keep eating THESE SHOTS. BIG LEFT HOOK STRAIGHT right hand. underneath him enough to take A SHOT. HEAVY UPPERCUTS. HUGE SHOTS FROM KIAMRIAN ABBASOV. STILL 75 SECONDS FOR LEE TO TRY TO SOMEHOW SURVIVE. BUT THE warrior displayed durability like never before. Oh, that was a nice combination. Head kick to straight right hand. Christian's going for another belly to back. Belly. Couple of straight rights by Christian Lee a minute into the second round of five. Takedown to end up on top. Let's see if he can pass

here. Yep, easily steps over into mount. Lee aimed to rally back as the fight went on. The back-and-forth action continued as Lee sought to complete his comeback in round four. You see the respect between these two guys as they touch gloves. I like that jab from Christian Lee. That's good money in the bank right there. At this point, our unofficial judge Rich Franklin has Christian Lee slightly ahead, but that game-changing power from Abbasov can swift swiftly turn the tide in his favor. Oh, this is still anybody's match, man. Don't get me wrong. This is crazy.

Nice right from Kiamrian Abbasov. That was on the side of the head, too, man. I've seen Abbasov put down a lot of people with that shot. And I've also seen Christian Lee put out people with that right hand. These guys are taking each other's best weapons. Yeah, Lee went with a one-two and took one on his way out. A minute into round four. Nine minutes left in this fight if it goes the distance. seeing this head movement from Christian and this little bit of footwork. He's got his right hand high protecting himself. Follows the instructions his dad gave him between rounds, his coach, and uh and already taking less damage in this round. Nice knee to the body there from Lee. And he's also going after that right

side, too. Right by the liver. Just trying to take a little bit more of the win from the former champ Abbasov. Christian has a little bit more pep in his step. He looks a little bit fresher, slightly, but it's almost like it's energizing Abbasov and Abbasov is able to look a little bit lighter on his feet as well. You see how he overextends when he throws the right? His feet aren't coming with him. When Christian Lee throws it, his feet follow him. He has much better balance when he's throwing these shots. Lee with a jab and then he follows up with a right. To that point, Abbasov missed that lead hook, left himself out of position. Christian was able to counter with the right hand. Right hook from Lee then a straight

right then a barrage from Christian Lee. Nearing the midpoint of this fourth round. I just like that setup. He feinted across and then threw that switch kick with the lead leg. Yeah, I want to see Christian utilize those kicks again, man. He's only really going head hunting with the kicks, but I wouldn't mind seeing him attack the legs because you can see just how beat up Kiamrian Abbasov's lead leg is, right?

Looks like a bag of hamburger meat. Takes a shot to the body there for good measure. Outside leg kick as they trade here in the ONE circle. Another one for Lee. Now he's starting to go after that lead leg. Yes. Three in a row for Christian Lee to the lead leg of Abbasov. And another. AND ANOTHER FOR CHRISTIAN LEE. HE'S ATTACKING THE CALF. the knee on that. Crushing the calf right now. Tenderizing that lead leg of Abbasov. Abbasov is having trouble moving. Two minutes in round four of this world title fight, welterweight division here in ONE Championship.

Abbasov is tired. You can see it in his body language, in his face. Christian Lee wants to again coming forward with a big knee to the body. Knees to the body are paying good returns right now. I've seen him go downstairs with his hands to the body. He's coming upstairs, but man, when he's on the inside, the opening is down to the body. Nice elbow. Nice. Oh, wow. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR ELBOWS. FIVE ABBASOV'S HURT. TO THE HEAD OF ABBASOV. MASSIVE ELBOWS. ABOUT 10 OF THEM from Christian Lee.

Abbasov keeps coming back. He's still staying in it, right? He'll take a few shots, but then he'll throw one. Lee now for THE DOUBLE. HE SHOOTS IN AND TAKES HIM DOWN. EASILY steps over into a mount like hot knife through butter. He's got a minute to work. Ground and pound Lee. Heavy elbows. THIS MAY BE BEGINNING OF THE END right here. YEAH. ABBASOV UNDER SIEGE ON HIS BACK TAKING HEAVY ELBOWS. Nothing's really getting through, but now they are. Yeah, now he's now he's going after the body to try to stop it. Pound and pound Abbasov. THIS IS IT. WHAT A COMEBACK. LEE WHAT A COMEBACK.

LEE IS A TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION. Your winner by way OF TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT [screaming] AND NEW UNDISPUTED ONE WELTERWEIGHT AND LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, [screaming] CHRISTIAN HEATED RIVALS, JONATHAN HAGGERTY and Felipe Lobo, also made waves when they put on a classic bout for the bantamweight Muay Thai gold in February 2024. This division belongs to me. Nong-O in front of his home fans. Defends his belt once again against Jonathan Haggerty. OH! DOWN GOES NGANO! JONATHAN HAGGERTY DOES IT IN BANGKOK TONIGHT!

I SAY, train hard until your idols become your rivals. Everyone should be worried about me. YOUR TWO-SPORT WORLD CHAMPION, Jonathan Haggerty! I've also got a massive target on my back, which we say is a massive compliment. Everyone wants to fight me. Anyone wants to take the belt, they got to come for and see me. I'll fight anyone. Who's next? Easy, man. You don't want it. How is that possible? Let's celebrate! I'm ready for everything. He's not ready.

He's not ready for defend the title against me. For this fight, I dedicate myself to get the championship belt. Now is my time. I'm ready to show the world that I'm the champion. Oh! Felipe Lobo taken down! The number one contender! [screaming] I'm fully prepared. I'm going to apply pressure on him. Pressure is a blessing to me. I thrive under pressure. There's no pressure, then do you perform? He just talks a lot. Same as his training partner, Fabricio. And we all see what happened to his training partner.

I'm not the guy who talk too much. I'm going to show him the real I'm going to show him that. I'll make sure you're 100% because I don't want no excuses. Don't have any excuses. This is my life. I'm living training every day. I've always wanted to defend my belt. You're not a champion until you defend your title. I'm also going in with a bulletproof mindset. Bulletproof mindset cannot be beaten. After talking the trash talk, to showdown against the man he has most wanted. It's personal. I don't like the fella, and I'm coming to do a job on him. I have a picture of the belt in my room, and I always visualize it with every

day. I'm ready to show the people that I going to bring this belt to Brazil. And new, I'm still In round one, Lobo unleashed heavy body shots and pushed the defending champ against the ropes. Going to the body is Lobo. Lobo picking up the pace. Looking to hammer away on the champion. THE CHAMPION COVERING UP. BODY WORK BY LOBO. A lot of big shots as Lobo was able to rip to the body. OH, A SPINNING BACK ELBOW FOR THE CHAMPION IN HAGGERTY. BODY WORK FOR LOBO. LOOK AT THIS BACK AND A BACK OF HAGGERTY. [screaming] OH, THE BACK DOWN!

BOTH MEN FIRED THEIR biggest blows and exchanged knockdowns in the second round. BIG LEFT HOOK BY HAGGERTY, BUT BACK COMES LOBO. LOBO'S FIGHTING FOR HIS PULL HIS FAMILY OUT OF THE FAVELAS. SO MUCH ON THE LINE FOR FELIPE LOBO. HAGGERTY BACK AND A BACK [screaming] OF LOBO! THE GENERAL FORCED A MOMENTUM shift and aimed to seal the deal in round four. And you are seeing it right here between Jonathan Haggerty and Felipe Lobo as we get set for round number three.

Both men have exchanged knockdowns. What are we going to witness? The crowd here in Lumpinee Stadium might have paid for the whole seat, but they're only using the edge of it right now. Third round of this world title match up. Styles make fights, and these two are meant for each other. Oh, nice timing of that cut right there. Taking the feet out of the general. The general trying to frame off, looking to counter. Lobo looks to come forward and put hands on Haggerty. Well, Lobo's got a big one.

Down goes Lobo! What a shot! Can Lobo get to his feet? He does. And Lobo! JONATHAN HAGGERTY! BACK AND A BACK of Haggerty! And he stops Felipe Lobo to retain his one FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. YOUR WINNER by way OF TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT, [screaming] UNDISPUTED ONE FEATHERWEIGHT MUAY THAI AND KICKBOXING CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, JONATHAN [screaming] HAGGERTY! More epic action is coming your way on April 29th as ONE Championship launches its newest Japanese series, ONE Samurai. A Japanese legend's last stand.

Kickboxing icon Sitthichai and the Iron Man Rodtang clash in a highly anticipated rematch in Tokyo. OH, WHAT A SHOT! DOWN HE GOES! PLUS, JAPAN'S next generation of warriors prepare for battle. Wow! On April 29th, a new era in Japanese martial arts begins. ONE Samurai.