.png)
What Would a Champion Showdown Between the UFC vs ONE Championship Look Like?
Imagine the anticipation and sheer thrill of witnessing a head-to-head clash between UFC and ONE Championship champions. Each promotion brings unique fight styles, rule sets, and global fanbases that elevate this dream showdown to epic proportions. Here’s a closer look at how some of the most exciting matchups might play out in this hypothetical clash of titans.
Heavyweight Matchup
UFC Champion: Jon Jones (USA)
ONE Champion: Anatoly Malykhin (Russia)
Jon Jones, UFC’s heavyweight titleholder, is one of the most accomplished and technically skilled fighters in MMA history. Known for his impeccable fight IQ, reach, and wrestling prowess, he would face Anatoly Malykhin, ONE’s powerhouse with knockouts in both MMA and kickboxing. Malykhin’s aggressive striking could pose a serious threat to Jones, but Jones’ unbreakable composure and adaptability in high-stakes situations might give him an edge. This would be a true showdown of technique versus power.
Light Heavyweight Clash
UFC Champion: Alex Pereira (Brazil)
ONE Champion: Anatoly Malykhin (Russia)
In a light heavyweight battle, UFC’s striking sensation Alex Pereira would take on ONE’s powerhouse Anatoly Malykhin, who holds titles in light heavyweight, middleweight, and heavyweight. Pereira’s lethal stand-up game, honed through years of elite kickboxing, would make him a formidable threat on the feet, as he’d aim to use his reach and precision to keep Malykhin at a distance. On the other hand, Malykhin’s grappling and knockout power across multiple divisions would be a constant threat, as he’d look to close the distance, land heavy shots, and potentially bring the fight to the ground. Pereira’s technical striking and ability to control range would clash with Malykhin’s raw power and multi-divisional experience, making this a thrilling showdown between two champions with vastly different styles.
Middleweight Battle
UFC Champion: Dricus Du Plessis (South Africa)
ONE Champion: Anatoly Malykhin (Russia)
In a middleweight showdown, UFC’s relentless Dricus Du Plessis would face ONE’s Anatoly Malykhin, a dominant champion across middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Du Plessis, known for his non-stop pressure and exceptional durability, would look to overwhelm Malykhin with his high-paced striking and grappling. Meanwhile, Malykhin’s formidable power and versatility—proven by his success across three weight classes—would bring a dangerous combination of striking and wrestling. Du Plessis would need to stay sharp defensively, keeping the fight moving to avoid Malykhin’s explosive takedowns and ground control, while Malykhin would aim to leverage his weight and power advantage. This clash would pit Du Plessis’s tenacity and cardio against Malykhin’s brute strength and skill, promising an intense test of endurance and strategy.
Welterweight Collision
UFC Champion: Belal Muhammad (USA)
ONE Champion: Christian Lee (Singapore / USA)
Belal Muhammad is known for his tactical approach and effective striking defense. Against him, ONE’s Christian Lee, with his balanced MMA skills and grappling proficiency, would bring a fascinating contrast. While Muhammad excels in control and volume, Lee’s explosive style and versatility on the ground could present unique challenges. This fight could go either way, as both fighters possess the endurance and technique to go the distance.
Lightweight Showdown
UFC Champion: Islam Makhachev (Russia)
ONE Champion: Christian Lee (Singapore / United States)
A lightweight clash between UFC’s Islam Makhachev and ONE’s Christian Lee would be a masterclass in grappling and versatility. Makhachev, renowned for his dominant wrestling and suffocating control, would aim to impose his relentless ground game, neutralizing Lee's explosive striking and submission skills. Lee, a well-rounded fighter with knockout power and slick grappling, would need to keep the fight standing or work to scramble out of Makhachev’s takedowns to maintain his offense. With Makhachev’s calculated pressure against Lee’s dynamic and aggressive style, this face-off would showcase the ultimate test of skill, adaptability, and endurance in the lightweight division.
Featherweight Duel
UFC Champion: Ilia Topuria (Georgia)
ONE Champion: Tang Kai (China)
Ilia Topuria, UFC’s explosive featherweight king, brings dangerous boxing skills and a strong ground game. Against him, Tang Kai from ONE Championship is a phenomenal striker with a background in Muay Thai, who loves to control the pace and find openings for powerful kicks. Topuria would aim to close the distance quickly to avoid Kai’s strikes, turning the fight into a gritty grappling affair. Tang Kai, on the other hand, would try to leverage his striking range and keep the fight standing.
Bantamweight Clash
UFC Champion: Merab Dvalishvili (Georgia)
ONE Champion: Fabricio Andrade (Brazil)
Merab Dvalishvili is a cardio machine with an endless gas tank and top-level grappling skills. ONE’s Fabricio Andrade, a powerful striker with a Muay Thai background, would be a challenging opponent, constantly looking for knockout opportunities. Dvalishvili would need to keep the fight on the ground to neutralize Andrade’s striking, whereas Andrade would try to keep the fight standing and at a distance where he could unleash his powerful kicks and knees.
Flyweight Battle
UFC Champion: Alexandre Pantoja (Brazil)
ONE Champion: Rodtang Jitmuangnon (Thailand) - Flyweight Muay Thai
While ONE’s Rodtang is a Muay Thai specialist, a crossover fight with Pantoja could still happen under hybrid rules. Pantoja’s grappling skills and submission threats would make him a formidable opponent for the hard-hitting Rodtang. If the fight were conducted under modified rules that allowed for ground fighting, Pantoja’s BJJ would likely give him the edge. However, if Rodtang could keep it standing, his striking would create a difficult test for Pantoja.
A Historic Spectacle - UFC vs ONE
A cross-promotion event like this would bring in millions of viewers worldwide, eager to see these champions test themselves outside their comfort zones. Not only would it challenge fighters to adapt to different rule sets and styles, but it would also bring a new level of excitement and unpredictability to the sport. Fans from the East and the West would get to see their champions face off, making this fantasy showdown a monumental event in MMA history.
Fight.TV is here for it!
Comments