ONE Super Series Lights Up Macau: Khbabez vs. Ngalani
When ONE Championship rolled out its ONE Super Series, Hong Kong’s own Alain “The Panther” Ngalani heard the call to step back into the kickboxing ring and show off his firepower against the notorious Tarik Khbabez.
Setting the Stage
- Who’s Who: Ngalani – a 42‑year‑old Cameroonian now living the Hong Kong dream with Impakt MMA. Khbabez – a Dutch Heavyweight champ with two Superkombat titles.
- Event: ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, Macau, June 23.
- Goal: Nail that first Super Series win for Khbabez.
The Bout Unfolds
From the first bell, Ngalani tried to outmaneuver Khbabez, swirling around, throwing a fireworks display of kicks and punches. But Khbabez had a plan: wait, jab, lift out, win. He waited for the right moment and didn’t drop a single beat.
By round one’s end, the Panther was visibly worn out—no offense, just surviving. In round two, the groove flipped: Khbabez came out of the corner looking fresh, while Ngalani’s footwork had slowed to a drizzle. A single right hand from Khbabez knocked the Panther back, and the rest of the round saw the Dutchman on the offensive, keeping the Cameroonian on the defensive.
Moment of Truth: The Third Round
With 42‑year‑old Ngalani already hip‑deep in exhaustion, Khbabez dove in with a storm of combinations. The punches found their marks, the kicks rattled, and nothing but a heat‑wave of fatigue could stand between them. Finally, Vu‑Keu managed to tumble onto the canvas at 1:49 of round three, an end only 1:49 away from the line of victory.
The Knockout Count
Ngalani tried to rise, but the referee’s ten‑count slipped through his fingers. The crowd held its breath, then it was over: Khbabez wins by KO, claiming a victorious debut in the ONE Super Series.
Records Updated
- Khbabez: now at an eye‑watering 43-5-1.
- Ngalani: hit a new low of 25-8-1 (2 NC) after this outing.
In short, the seasoned knockout artist rolled out his magic, and Ngalani – the fighter with a hit record – etched his name again in the annals, showcasing that even in the face of a tough defeat, experience goes hand in hand with a heart that keeps pounding.
