A pivotal lightweight MMA bout featuring five undefeated professionals and a card packed with potential upsets will take place at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium when ONE Fight Night 49: Gabriel vs. Magomedov airs live on Prime Video during U.S. primetime on Friday, November 6.
By the time the main event fighters Lucas Gabriel and Magomed “Muhammad” Magomedov step into the arena, they will know exactly whose championship title is at stake. This follows less than a day after two-division MMA World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee defends his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title against welterweight submission grappler Tye Ruotolo at The Inner Circle 37, which will also be hosted at the same iconic venue.
In another highlights matchup, Kongthoranee Sor Sommai will face Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito in a significant kickboxing rematch, with Naito seeking to extend his three-fight winning streak and avenge a previous loss.
However, the featured bouts only scratch the surface, as late alterations to the fight card have introduced new rivalries and excitement. In particular, three matches stand out and warrant close attention.
1. Lee Seung Cheol vs. Nazareth Lalthazuala
South Korean strategist Lee “The Flash” Seung Cheol and Indian knockout artist Nazareth “The Northstar” Lalthazuala, both undefeated in ONE Championship competition, will collide in a fiery strawweight clash. Each fighter earned their spot on the premier roster with impressive victories secured via six-figure contracts on ONE’s proving ground shows.
Lee has steadily risen since joining the organization, closing a four-fight win streak with a first-round submission of Cueng Naibaho at ONE Friday Fights 136. He then defeated Brazilian powerhouse Fabio “The Giant” Henrique in March and the division staple Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane in July, improving his record to an impressive 13-1. Known for his relentless pace, Lee holds the ONE strawweight records for most significant strikes landed in a single fight (157) and the second-highest strikes in a single round (78).
Conversely, 25-year-old Lalthazuala has yet to leave a fight’s outcome to the judges. He needed just 17 seconds to knockout Masaki Suzuki, submitted Jake “Venom” Bron in the second round, and stopped Jhon “The Protagonist” Brutas within the first frame in his recent matchups to earn his call-up to the main roster.
Their battle presents a striking contrast: Lalthazuala typically ends fights rapidly, averaging under four minutes, while Lee thrives in grueling, longer contests. The longer the match lasts, the more advantage Lee gains, though every exchange carries immense risk against Lalthazuala’s power. This fight offers Lee a chance to solidify his elite status, while Lalthazuala has the perfect primetime platform to announce his arrival as a top Indian MMA prospect.
2. Nontachai vs. Felipe Lobo
A rematch six months after their first encounter, Nontachai Jitmuangnon and Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo will square off again in a crucial bantamweight Muay Thai bout, both eager to bounce back from recent defeats.
Nontachai’s reach and accuracy gave him the edge last May, but Lobo’s knockout power remains a dangerous wildcard in this second meeting. After winning the 68-kilogram Road to ONE: Thailand tournament with four straight victories, the Jitmuangnon Gym athlete has gone 6-2 internationally. Although his three-fight win streak was disrupted by Kiamran Nabati at The Inner Circle 31, Nontachai remains undeterred, stepping in for an injured opponent and signaling his drive to regain momentum immediately.
Meanwhile, Lobo has overcome a tough upbringing in Sao Paulo’s favelas to challenge twice for ONE titles, notably managing to knock down reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty during their 2024 Muay Thai title fight. Despite losing his last three decisions, Lobo’s hunger and heavy-hitting style make him more dangerous, poised to capitalize on any opening.
Their rematch will test Nontachai’s tactical kicking and jab-based style against Lobo’s late-round surge and power, with a single moment potentially shifting both fighters’ trajectories significantly.
3. Kalandar Tabarov vs. Ilmadi Israilov
Making their promotional debuts at bantamweight, Kalandar Tabarov and Ilmadi Israilov enter ONE undefeated and known for their fight-finishing abilities. Only one will maintain an unblemished record after this showdown in Bangkok.
While this promises a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup on paper, both bring diverse skills. Tabarov, 27, from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, is known for his flashy striking, including spinning wheel kicks, but has also secured his last two wins via submission, demonstrating versatility. He boasts four finishes in five professional fights.
Israilov, a 23-year-old with a clean 9-0 record, has six submission victories and focuses on wearing down opponents by taking them to the mat and aggressively pursuing submissions from dominant positions.
This contest offers no safe ground: Tabarov’s striking can produce highlight-reel finishes, while Israilov’s grappling skills mean either fighter could end the bout at any time.
Fan Take: This event is a must-watch for fight fans because it showcases a blend of rising stars and undefeated warriors across multiple disciplines, all fighting on one of MMA’s most iconic stages. The outcomes here could quickly reshape divisional landscapes and highlight new contenders, injecting fresh energy into the global martial arts scene.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
