Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan Nails His Debut in Manila
It was a night to remember. On Friday, 20 April, the Italian powerhouse Giorgio ‘The Doctor’ Petrosyan stepped onto the ONE Super Series stage for the first time, and the crowd in Manila had no choice but to write down his name in the highlights.
The Setup
He faced the two‑division Lion Fight World Champion ‘Smokin’ Jo Nattawut in the co‑main event of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, at the packed Mall of Asia Arena. Nattawut, a Thai stylist and a striking legend in his own right, was eager to give the champ a run for his money.
Round 1: ‘Smokin’ Starts the Fire
- Nattawut launched a flurry of hard right kicks, almost reaching the Italian’s jaw.
- But Petrosyan is a master of millimetric defense: he slipped those kicks and replied with solid punches.
Round 2: The Doctor Goes On the Attack
Up the ante, Petrosyan turned up the heat—pushing Nattawut onto the back foot, firing crisp combinations, and finding the sweet spot for crushing knees.
His opponent tried to retaliate, but every shot landed short or was immediately countered. Nattawut was either “gone” or already facing a counter‑attack from The Doctor.
Round 3: A Simple Smooth Sprint to Victory
Petrosyan kept growing stronger, making Nattawut miss once, then reining in the guy with a perfectly timed uppercut and a stepping knee.
It felt more like a well‑executed cruise than a chaotic brawl. The Italian’s precision and control left no doubt—pass or surface, the victory was solid.
After the Fight
The judges’ scored cards were unanimous in his favor. In a post‑fight interview with Mitch Chilson, the Doctor shared that he was delighted to dominate in front of a Manila crowd—a testament to the energy he feels when fighting at home.
He even mentioned Thai legend Buakaw as a potential future adversary, but, as always, other fighters will want their shot at the epic “The Doctor.”
Record Snapshot
Petrosyan swallows his record to 96‑2‑2 (1 NC), while Nattawut, though defeated tonight, still lands an impressive track record of 66‑7‑2.
In short, the Italian super‑striker has once again shown why he’s regarded as one of the finest— and most fearsome—strikers ever seen in the ring.
