3 questions ahead of ONE: Dreams Of Gold in Bangkok

ONE Championship returns to Thailand on Friday, 16 August for yet another night of martial arts greatness.

The spectacle, dubbed ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, decides the two finalists of the historic US$1 million (RM4.12 million) ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix.

Giorgio Petrosyan takes on Jo Nattawut while Samy Sana faces Dzhabar Askerov in the tournament semi-finals.

Also, Thailand’s greatest ONE Super Series showman “The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy returns to action against Netherland’s Ilias Ennahachi.

There is plenty at stake, but here are the three burning questions ahead of ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD in Bangkok’s Impact Arena.

#1 Can “The Doctor” duplicate his debut performance?

Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan outclassed “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in his ONE Super Series debut in April 2018, and the multiple-time Kickboxing World Champion will be hoping to recreate that performance once again in the World Grand Prix semi-finals.

The 32-year-old Milan native’s surgical precision saw him earn a unanimous decision victory in Manila, Philippines, but his opposite number has improved since that bout.

Both athletes displayed their career-best performance to punch their tickets into the last four, but only one will march toward the final.

#2 Will “The Baby Shark” dazzle once again?

Expect “The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy to continue doing what he does best in his hometown – entertaining fans inside and outside the ring.

He has never failed to deliver a highlight-reel exhibition when he competes at The Home Of Martial Arts. But will the pressure get to him as he defends his ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title for the first time?

His opposite number is newcomer Ilias Ennahachi, a young and explosive Dutch-Moroccan kickboxer from Utrecht, Netherlands.

With a kickboxing record of 29-2, the 23-year-old Ennahachi puts Petchdam’s credibility to the test.

#3 How will Stamp Fairtex fare in her mixed martial arts test?

ONE Super Series Atomweight Kickboxing & Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex’s quest to become a three-sport World Champion will be tested against undefeated Indian athlete “Knockout Queen” Asha Roka in an atomweight duel.

The fastest rising female martial arts star is not done yet and wants to complete a record-breaking feat, but her foe is a dangerous mixed martial artist.

Roka boasts two wins by knockout and submission and looks like a well-rounded martial artist. Although not much has been said about Stamp’s abilities other than her striking prowess, expect the 21-year-old Thai sensation to strike her way to glory.