ONE Championship Kicks Off 2018 with a Bang in Jakarta
On Saturday, January 20th, the ONE promotion lit up the year with its first event, ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE. Hosted live at the Jakarta Convention Center, the night started off with a whirlwind of back‑and‑forth action that left fans buzzing.
Riski “King Kong” Umar vs. Egi Rozten – A Fight to Remember
In a last‑minute scramble, Jakarta’s own boxing champ Egi Rozten stepped into the ring to go toe‑to‑toe with the fearsome Riski “King Kong” Umar. The bout was a story of grit, determination, and a sprinkle of Hollywood drama.
- Early Firepower: Rozten, fresh from a rapid training stint, went straight for the finish. He fired head and body hooks like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat.
- Umar’s Counter‑Dance: Despite the pounding, Umar stayed unshaken, trading relentless shots and refusing to back down.
- The Turning Point: A thunderous knee from “King Kong” slammed Rozten to the floor – a moment that sent the audience gasping. Followed up by a sharp right elbow, Umar dropped Rozten to the mat and took the advantageous mount position.
- Finish: From the mount, the relentless series of strikes didn’t give Rozten a chance to recover, snatching the fight with a TKO at 4:20 in the first round.
It was a sensational display for both fighters: Umar gushes his undefeated streak to 2‑0, while Rozten takes his first loss and sees his record slide to 3‑1. But what truly lights up the crowd is the undeniable spirit each brought to the squared circle—true hearts of lions and chins of granite.
Spotlight on the Artistry
Aside from the raw action, the event showcased talent beyond the main card. Notably, female athletes—like the bold Priscilla “Thathie” Lumban and charismatic Audreylaura Boniface—garnered admiration for their skill and flair.
Why This Night Matters
With fights that end in the instant of a knock‑down or a decisive strike, the night reminds fans why ONE Championship remains a pinnacle of combat sports. Whether you’re chasing the next bout or simply love the drama of a great showdown, the 2018 calendar’s opening has lit the fire for an exhilarating year ahead.
White‑knuckle showdown in the cage
When Priscilla “Thathie” Lumban Gaol faced Audreylaura “Ice Comet” Boniface, the stakes were sky‑high. Both fighters were itching to ignite their careers with a decisive win, so only one could leave the octagon triumphant. In the end, Indonesia’s Gaol had her hand raised.
Round one: the first showdown
Thathie opened with a punch‑busting side kick that sent Boniface reeling. Ice Comet, a Malaysian star with a laser‑focused jab, tried to close the distance and bring the fight to the cage. But Gaol’s base was rock‑solid; she kept her footing and cut the clinch short.
As the jam-thump pressures built, Thathie’s kicking spread out like a fireworks display:
- Sharp jabs kept the edge‑off pace.
- Kicks were firing from every angle.
- Ice Comet kept trying to get in range, but the variety of kicks always kept her on the back foot.
Finally, one of Thathie’s kicks landed cleanly, and the fight tipped toward the inevitable. With a barrage of kicks followed by a clear barrage of punches, she sealed the fight with a TKO at 3:23 of the first round.
Why this matters
After taking on elite bad boys like Gina Iniong and Tiffany Teo in her first two bouts, Gaol’s record didn’t do justice to her talent. This Victory in ONE is her first win inside the cage — a resurgent start that’s sure to turn heads.
