If the prospect of a new two-sport champion being crowned, along with one of grappling’s biggest prospects chasing his first gold wasn’t enough, fight fans in the MENA region have extra reason to be excited.
While all eyes might be on Jonathan Haggerty and Fabricio Andrade battling for the ONE Championship bantamweight world title, and Tye Ruotolo looking to make welterweight submission grappling history – but there are some great storylines a little closer to home.
Karim Bennoui
At 35, Bennoui is something of a veteran of the sport with more than 20 years’ experience behind him – and 15 of those in the professional ranks. He may have been born in France, but is of Algerian descent, and is determined to make a big impact on his ONE debut this weekend.
He will take on Thai legend Seksan Or Kwanmuang. In reality this could not be a tougher debut for Bennoui, with Seksan unbeaten in ONE with a perfect 6-0 record – and a list of victims that reads like a who’s who of professional combat sport.
A tough task it is, but if Bennoui comes through it, the world could be at his feet in ONE’s Muay Thai class.
Mouhcine Chafi
Another debutant to look out for on Saturday will be Mouhcine Chafi who is Spanish of Moroccan descent.
Like Bennoui, Chafi will be experiencing a tough test when he steps in against Thailand’s Sinsamut Klinmee.
Klinmee has a fearsome record – with his only two defeats in ONE coming at the hands of two weight world champion Regian Eersel.
For 26-year-old Chafi this is an opportunity to test himself against one of the best – and put the lightweight Muay Thai division on notice if he can pull off a big win.
ONE Fight Night 16 comes live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Thailand on Saturday November 4. Fight fans in the MENA region can watch action BeINSPORTS from 3.00am MECCA, or on watch.onefc.com
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