Roman Kryklia Plans To Represent Heavier Weight Classes With Memorable ONE Fight Night 30 Title Defense

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As the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai and Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion, Roman Kryklia represents the big men in the striking arts - and now he's out to prove the Goliaths and just as exciting and the Davids.

He steps back under the bright lights at ONE Fight Night 30 to defend his heavyweight Muay Thai crown this Saturday, April 5, against Lyndon Knowles inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

"Right now, especially in Asia, the spotlight is mostly on the lighter weight classes. I want to help bring some of that attention back to heavyweight. My goal is to make this division exciting again and elevate its profile with every fight," he said.

In addition, Kryklia believes he still hasn't even reached his peak yet. That said, the towering giant wants to show everyone just how much he is capable of come fight night.

"I've grown a lot during my time away from the ring, and I'm confident there's still more to show," he said. "Being a double champ doesn't slow me down. My motivation is simple-I want to give fans as many exciting, memorable fights as possible over the next few years."

While his latest challenger will be making his ONE debut, that doesn't mean the 33-year-old is taking the match lightly. Kryklia is training as if it will be his toughest matchup to date.

"I take every opponent seriously. I always prepare as if I'm facing the toughest fight of my life, and that mindset never changes. You can't predict how things will go in this game, which is what makes it special," Kryklia said.

While the Ukrainian will don the 4-ounce gloves on April 5 in Lumpinee Stadium, Kryklia plans to return to kickboxing in the near future to defend that title as well. "I'd love to step back into kickboxing," he said. "I want to alternate between Muay Thai and kickboxing for a while."

ONE Fight Night 30 will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Select 2 at 5:30 AM India Standard Time (IST) on Saturday, April 5. Here is a look at the fight card for the event:

ONE Fight Night 30 Card

• Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship Bout: Roman Kryklia (c) vs. Lyndon Knowles
• Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship Bout: Regian Eersel (c) vs. Alexis Nicolas
• Featherweight Muay Thai Bout: Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong vs. Nico Carrillo
• Catchweight (142 lbs) Muay Thai Bout: Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang vs. Asa Ten Pow
• Flyweight Bout: Bokang Masunyane vs. Sanzhar Zarikov
• Lightweight Muay Thai Bout: George Jarvis vs. Mouhcine Chafi
• Featherweight Submission Grappling Bout: Fabricio Andrey vs. Ashley Williams
• Strawweight Muay Thai Bout: Thongpoon P.K.Saenchai vs. Elmehdi El Jamari
• Women's Atomweight Bout: Jihin Radzuan vs. Macarena Aragon
• Bantamweight Bout: Carlo Bumina-Ang vs. Mauro Mastromarini