The main event will see Russia’s Anatoly Malykhin try to make history by becoming the first fighter to consecutively hold world titles across three weight categories. He is already the ONE Championship heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion, but is now looking to claim middleweight gold too. Standing in his way is Reinier de Ridder from the Netherlands – the man Malykhin beat for the light-heavyweight crown.
Also on the night, the featherweight MMA division will be unified when champion Tang Kai puts his title on the line against interim title holder Thanh Le, while Joshua Pacio will look to dethrone strawweight MMA champion Jarred Brooks in a second co-main event.
As for the Middle East interest – there is plenty. Iran’s Amir Aliakbari will take on India’s Arjan Bhullar with major consequences for the top end of the heavyweight division. Yemeni-Saudi Osamah Almarwai, one of the world’s premier grapplers, will look to get the better of Brazil’s Cleber Sousa in the flyweight submission grappling division and hopefully earn another shot at champion Mikey Musumeci.
There is also a mouth-watering catchweight boxing clash, when Saudi Arabia’s Zuhayr Al-Qahtani makes his ONE Championship debut, taking on legendary Algerian striker Mahdi Zatout.
The full line-up can be seen here:
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than five title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.
