WATCH: Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu produces absolute submission magic in quick finish of Aaron Canarte
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu showcased his undeniable power as a mixed martial artist at ONE Fight Night 27 last Friday, Jan. 10, proving he can dominate in any weight class.
In a 160.75-pound catchweight bout, Baatarkhuu seized a brief opening to impose his will, submitting Ecuador’s Aaron Canarte in the first round.
Watch the highlights of the matchup below:
The Mongolian bruiser endured early control from Canarte, but once he secured a takedown and landed in half-guard, the momentum shifted decisively.
From that dominant position, it was only a matter of time. The 36-year-old transitioned smoothly, isolating Canarte’s arm and locking in a Kimura to force the tap at the 3:43 mark of the opening frame.
With this victory, the No. 5-ranked bantamweight MMA contender claimed his second consecutive win to establish a winning streak, elevating his professional record to 12-3 with an impressive eight finishes.
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu puts two divisions on notice
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s performance at a higher weight class raises intriguing possibilities for his future.
As the protégé of former ONE featherweight world champion Narantungalag Jadambaa, he could opt to compete at 155 pounds — a bracket stacked with elite talent like reigning titleholder Tang Kai, Akbar Abdullaev, Thanh Le, Ilya Freymanov, Shamil Gasanov and Martin Nguyen.
However, a return to bantamweight might be the more strategic move for Baatarkhuu. As a ranked contender in his natural division, he would resume his campaign for a title shot without starting anew.
Interestingly, the bantamweight MMA division will be one of the main highlights at ONE 170, scheduled for Jan. 24 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
The event will feature current champion Fabricio Andrade defending his belt in a rematch against Kwon Won Il, reigniting their rivalry from June 2022.