Predicting ONE 169: These 3 fights are likely to end in spectacular finishes
ONE Championship's upcoming blockbuster, ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Rueg on Prime Video is shaping up to be another massive evening for the world's largest martial arts organization.
The card is stacked from top to bottom with compelling matchups, all likely to produce epic fireworks in the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
But before action gets underway on Friday, November 8 on U.S. primetime, Sportskeeda MMA takes a look at three fights that will likely end in quick and explosive finishes.
1) Anatoly Malykhin vs. Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane
Reigning and undisputed ONE heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight MMA world champion 'Sladkiy' Anatoly Malykhin of Russia is set to return to the highest division to defend his ONE gold against Senegalese wrestling star Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane.
These two have bad blood and have been trading barbs with each other for the greater part of the last 12 months.
Malykhin himself has an insane statline. He is undefeated at 14-0 as a professional, with all 14 wins coming by finish, including 10 knockouts and 4 submissions.
'Reug Reug' is 6-1 with 4 knockouts.
It all comes to a head at ONE 169, and judging by their records, fans surely won't get to hear the final bell.
2) Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Jacob Smith
Who predicts a decision whenever 'The Iron Man' Rodtang Jitmuangnon enters the ring? That's right, no one.
Rodtang is set to defend his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against the United Kingdom's Jacob Smith in a highly anticipated rematch.
Yes, the same guy he fought two years ago who became a permanent fixture in his highlight reel.
Images of Rodtang tearing Smith up with strafing left and right hooks, piercing elbows, and thunderous kicks live forever in memory.
It's hard to imagine anything going different in this rematch. But this time, it's going to end in a stoppage, no matter how tough Smith is.
3) Kade Ruotolo vs. Ahmed Mujtaba
Lightweight submission grappling king Kade Ruotolo is back in MMA action against Pakistan's Ahmed 'Wolverine' Mujtaba.
The American impressed in his MMA debut earlier this year, winning by first-round rear-naked choke. Mujtaba, while a good fighter, is simply not capable of preventing Ruotolo from closing the distance and doing whatever he wants in close range.
This includes taking the fight to the mat and finishing it there, which is the likely ending for this potentially very short matchup.
ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, November 8.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.