Wrestling, Spinning, and Gushing: The Epic Showdown of Zhao Zhi Kang & “Tank” Ma Xu Dong
At ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS in Guangzhou, China, Saturday, July 7th, a pulse‑pounding, jaw‑dropping fight unfolded that left fans on the edge of their seats. Zhao Zhi Kang, the Sanda champion, versus “Tank” Ma Xu Dong pulled the rug out from under the combat scene.
Round One: A Stubborn Start
- It began slow, with offensive smarts hampered by a handful of illegal moves from “Tank.”
- Referee Olivier Coste slapped a yellow card on Ma for knees to the back of the head and two low blows.
- Zhao answered with crisp, long punches and calculated kicks, while Ma delivered heavy overhands and hooks.
Round Two: Power‑Packed Exchanges
- “Tank” launched massive left hooks and overhand rights, aiming to dominate.
- Zhao, ever the display of swagger, dodged most of those looping assaults while maintaining a dominant reach.
- He sealed the round with a crushing takedown, followed by ground‑and‑pound strikes and elbows, keeping Ma at bay.
- After an impressive round‑kick to the head, “Tank” tried to close the distance.
The Decisive Moment: Guillotine Glory
- Zhao capitalized on a gap when “Tank” attempted to recover. He launched a flying round‑kick that landed like a thunderclap.
- Once Ma was compromised, Zhao seized the moment—a damn good guillotine choke.
- He completed the move with a slick guard jump, tightening the choke until “Tank” went out cold—literally, due to lack of oxygen.
Highlights & Takeaway
Zhao, at only 23, demonstrates that composure even when faced with less-than‑clean aggression—a trait that raises him to the top echelons of ONE’s roster, improving his record to an impressive 24‑4.
“Tank,” though wild and sometimes off‑target, delivered a ferocious performance that fans will relish negotiating into future bouts. The matchup was a perfect blend of skill, sweat, and a sprinkle of chaos—what you want in a turning‑point fight.
