ONE Friday Fights 22: 3 Reasons You Can’t Miss Event On June 22

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In 2023, ONE Championship's "Friday Fights" series has given the world a closer look at the very best Muay Thai fighters, and the weekly event has become a fan favorite for many admirers of "the art of eight limbs."

But this Friday, 23 June, the biggest card in the series' history takes place when ONE Friday Fights 22 brings a multitude of combat sports standouts to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The night will be headlined by the ONE Heavyweight World Title unification bout between division king Arjan Bhullar and interim titleholder Anatoly Malykhin. However, the event has plenty of other scintillating contests to look forward to. Let's look at three reasons you must watch ONE Friday Fights 22.

1. Arjan Bhullar Vs. Anatoly Malykhin: In a bout that's been long overdue, ONE Heavyweight World Champ Bhullar and the division's interim titleholder Malykhin will finally collide in the main event of ONE Fight Night 22.

The bout will be Bhullar's first ONE Heavyweight World Title defense since capturing the gold over two years ago at ONE: DANGAL, as multiple injuries prolonged this inevitable clash of titans.

Malykhin has been a dominant figure in ONE so far, capturing the promotion's light heavyweight crown in addition to the interim heavyweight throne. But he's had to remain patient for too long, believing "Singh" has been scared to face him.

And now with the contest closing in, "Sladkiy" will have the chance to match up his brash talk to his fighting abilities when the pair settle the score once and for all.

2. Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Vs. Eddie Abasolo: Also featured in the middle of the card is Thai legend Sitthichai "Killer Kid" Sitsongpeenong, who will battle American star Eddie "Silky Smooth" Abasolo in a featherweight Muay Thai outing.

"Killer Kid" was victorious in his last match, overcoming Mohammed Boutasaa in October 2022. This bout will mark Sitthichai's first back in Bangkok, Thailand, is almost three years, and he'll be looking to impress the Lumpinee loyals once again.

For Abasolo, it's an opportunity to gain what would arguably be his biggest victory over a striking legend in Sitthichai. The Californian cutter destroyed Niclas Larsen last March with destructive elbows at ONE Fight Night 8, and "Silky Smooth" will be looking to topple the applecart.

3. Seksan Or Kwanmuang Vs. Nathan Bendon: Seskan Or Kwanmuang has become a staple of the "Friday Fights" series, showcasing his talents to go 3-0 in the promotion against the likes of Tyson Harrison, Sean Clancy, and Silviu Vitez.

Now, "The Man Who Yields To No One" will welcome Britain's Nathan Bendon to the promotion when the two meet in 142-pound catchweight Muay Thai action. Bendon is a former WBC World Champion and ISKA British Champion and arrives in The Home of Martial Arts with a record of 29-8-1.

The British banger will be taking a step up in competition when he meets the legendary Seksan, though, and a victory over the seemingly unstoppable 34-year-old would put him in good standing.