ONE Fight Night 23 results: Ok Rae Yoon vs. Alibeg Rasulov
In the ONE Fight Night 23 headliner, former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon returns to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for an opportunity to once again wrap 26 pounds of gold around his waist.
With undisputed lightweight titleholder Christian Lee yet to return from a lengthy layoff, Ok Rae Yoon squared off with undefeated newcomer Alibeg Rasulov to crown an interim champion for the division. However, Rasulov failed his pre-fight hydration test, making him ineligible to win the title.
If Ok wins, he will be crowned the new interim champion, taking the belt with him back to South Korea and setting the stage for a trilogy fight with ‘The Warrior’ once he returns to action.
Round 1
Ok and Rasulov come out, exchanging low kicks in the opening moments of round one. Rasulov gets things started up top with a right hand that missed the mark. Rasulov closes the distance and puts Ok’s back against the ring ropes. Jockeying for position, Rasulov drops down for a single leg and drags Ok down to the canvas. Ok defends well, working his way back up, prompting Rasulov to land a solid right hand on the inside.
Rasulov again drops down and digs in for a single leg, but Ok stays upright with a minute to go in the round. Rasulov peppers Ok in the clinch with some elbow strikes. Ok attempts to come back over the top but fails to land anything of significance before the round comes to an end.
Round 2
After seeing his offense mostly stifled in the first round, Ok works to keep the fight in the center of the ring and land some combinations. Rasulov has other plans as he quickly closes the distance and backs Ok to the ropes. Ok does a good job of breaking the grip and circling away back to the center. Undeterred, Rasulov drives forward, pinning Ok against the ropes.
Ok lands a nice knee up the middle, allowing him to once again free himself. Rasulov lands a combination punctuated by a left hand that connects. Ok comes back with a three-punch combination of his own. To stop the onslaught, Rasulov drapes himself on Ok in the corner. Ok responds with some strikes in the clinch that encourage Rasulov to back away before going right back into the clinch with 60 seconds to go.
Ok Rae Yoon briefly adjusts and sweeps Rasulov to the mat, but he quickly pops back up and reinitiates the clinch, where they remain for the remainder of the second.
Round 3
Ok comes out mixing up his kicks from the get-go, attacking the lead leg and the body of Rasulov. During an exchange in the center, Rasulov lands a nice left hook before clinching up. Rasulov does some dirty boxing and continues to land over the top with some elbows before Ok can break free. Ok goes back to the leg kicks as Rasulov again pushes the pace, landing a two-hit combo before clinching up once again. A lull in the action prompts referee Herb Dean to call for the fighters to work.
That prompts Rasulov to separate and exchange some strikes with Ok before going right back to work in the clinch. Rasulov remains the much more active fighter in the clinch. Ok attempts to trip Rasulov, but the undefeated Turkish fighter uses his strength to gain top control. Ok works his way back up, but there’s no time left in the round for him to muster any additional offense.
Round 4
Going into the championship rounds, Ok and Rasulov exchange some heavy strikes, but it’s not long before Rasulov ties up. Ok separates and responds with a nice jab in the corner. Despite never fighting past the third round, Rasulov is still pushing the pace and working in the clinch. Rasulov lands an elbow inside that has Ok’s nose bleeding profusely.
Rasulov is dominating in the clinch, busting up Ok, and preventing the South Korean from getting off any of his offense. Herb Dean calls for a pause in the action to take a look at a cut over the top of Ok Rae Yoon’s left eye. The bout is allowed to resume, though the cut is in a spot that could compromise Ok’s vision.
Rasulove remains relentless with 60 seconds to go. Ok lands a shot inside, but Rasulov retaliates. The smothering attack of Rasulov is keeping Ok from landing anything substantial. Rasulov lands an elbow over the top. With the clock winding down, Ok lands a couple of uppercuts on the inside, but he’s unable to put much behind them.
Round 5
Knowing he likely needs a knockout to win, Ok Rae Yoon comes out pushing the pace and throwing with intent. Ok lands a nice uppercut inside, but Rasulov backs Ok into the corner and lands a stiff left hand. Ok breaks out of the corner but eats a spinning back fist from Rasulov on his exit. Rasulov goes right back to the tie-up, landing a left elbow and pinning his opponent in the corner.
Ok throws a spinning back elbow that partially connects, but it doesn’t stop Rasulov from his constant pressure. Rasulov drops down for a single leg, but Ok defends and looks to attack Rasulov’s back. Unable to secure the position, Rasulov powers his way back up and away from Ok, returning to the center of the ring where they slug it out before Rasulov backs the South Korean to the ropes yet again.
As we hit 60 seconds to go, Ok turns it up and attempts to land something big in the final seconds. As Ok tries to empty the gas tank, Rasulov continues to clinch, preventing his opponent from generating the power necessary to finish things.
Official Result: Alibeg Rasulov defeated Ok Rae Yoon via unanimous decision.
Though Rasulov won the fight, he was not eligible to win the interim lightweight MMA world title, meaning that there is no interim champion.
Full results from ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video
Alibeg Rasulov defeated Ok Rae Yoon via (interim ONE lightweight MMA world championship)
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Alexey Balyko defeated Stefan Korodi via KO (left hook) at 2:42 of round one (Muay Thai - catchweight 151.5lbs)