Epic Showdown at ONE: IRON WILL – The Flash Stretches the Championship Record
After a weekend of pure braggadocio, the Impact Arena in Bangkok witnessed a matchup that will echo in ONE history books.
Fight Recap
- Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes (Bantamweight champ) faced Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen (Featherweight & Lightweight champs).
- Result: Fernandes edged out a split decision (2–1) to defend his bantamweight title – his eighth defense.
- Scorecards said 102‑100, 101‑101, 100‑101.
Round‑by‑Round Breakdown
Round 1: Both fighters swapped quick glances, staying cautious. Fernandes kept his shoulders tight to block Nguyen’s legendary overhand right, while Nguyen stalked his opponent’s legs with low kicks.
Round 2: The pace lifted – Fernandes got into his flow, attacking with aggression and even targeting the mat. Nguyen stayed elusive; when Fernandes landed a takedown, Nguyen bounced back like a spring.
Round 3: The scene turned violent. Fernandes landed two thunderous right hands, but Nguyen answered with an overhand right elbow that slammed onto Fernandes’ forehead. The flash stared at the wound, but recovered, discovering an opening for a rear‑naked choke.
After a grueling three rounds, judges declared the fight a draw, pushing the thunderbolts to the championship rounds.
Rounds 4 & 5: Fernandes launched a storm: repeatedly beating Nguyen to the punch, outworking him, and keeping the celebratory combo guard shut. Nguyen waited for one big blow, but the mythical hit never materialized. In the final moments, Fernandes unleashes a staggering right that sent Nguyen crashing into the cage—yet both fighters rode the bell to the finish.
What Happens Next?
- Fernandes’ record climbs to 22‑3, and his win streak extends to 14 fights. He claims a new ONE title record with 10 wins in the promotion.
- Nguyen concludes the bout at 10‑2, will focus on defending his two belts.
Fan Reaction
Social media exploded: “THE FLASH GOES TO 10 WINS IN ONE! Make THAT a trophy, GENIUS!”
“Nguyen shows pure heart – still one of the toughest champions.”
“Split decisions are always going to keep us guessing – and that’s why we love fighting!”
Final Thought
This fight is another chapter in the saga of one of the biggest stars in ONE. Fernandes shows that the banner it holds isn’t for anything less than a true masterpiece; Nguyen, meanwhile, proves he’s not just a title-holder, but a war‑torn warrior who keeps the grind alive. The war chants at Impact Arena weren’t just hype; they were a promise that ONE Championship still thrives on the drama of championship fights where comebacks and resilience matter.
