Petchmorakot Petchyindee Retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title With Close Split Decision Over Jimmy Vienot
ONE Championship (ONE) returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium with a world-class showcase of martial arts action at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot. The stacked 13-bout card was highlighted by two Muay Thai World Title fights, the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals, and a pair of submission grappling matches.
ONE Championship, in partnership with leading premium lifestyle and luxury performance brand TUMI, presented the prestigious ONE World Title belt to a pair of World Champions.
In the main event, reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee overcame tough challenger Jimmy Vienot to retain his golden belt.
It was an intense back-and-forth battle from the opening bell, as Vienot utilized his height and reach advantage to trouble the Thai warrior early. Vienot continued his relentless pace in the second and third rounds, which made it difficult for Petchmorakot to find his rhythm. In the fourth frame, however, the defending World Champion turned to his dangerous hands, boxing Vienot into a backpedal and dropping the Frenchman with a devastating counter right hook.
Vienot survived, which led to a tightly contested fifth round. But in the end, Petchmorakot earned the split-decision victory, successfully defended his World Title, and pocketed a US$50,000 bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
In the co-main event, #1 contender Joseph Lasiri shocked pound-for-pound great Prajanchai PK.Saenchai to capture the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. Lasiri used a calculated approach to start the contest, getting a feel for Prajanchai’s vaunted power. In the second frame, however, he turned up the pressure, going on a full-on assault against the defending World Champion. With damage showing on the proud Thai’s face, Lasiri attacked relentlessly in search of a finish. The fight was ultimately stopped when Prajanchai failed to meet the fourth-round bell, as Lasiri earned the World Title and bagged a US$50,000 performance bonus.
In the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals, reigning divisional king Rodtang Jitmuangnon battered promotional newcomer Jacob Smith across three rounds to win a clear-cut unanimous decision. Rodtang was fast and furious from the first round, dealing immense damage with his sharp elbows from the inside. “The Iron Man’s” dominance continued in the second and third stanzas, as he appeared to grow stronger as the bout wore on. Smith was tough as nails, however, and survived the onslaught until the final bell. With the victory, the Thai megastar earned a US$50,000 bonus and a semifinal berth in the historic Muay Thai tournament.
Three other ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal bouts took place on the card. Brazilian Walter Goncalves took out ONE Super Series newcomer Josue Cruz via first-round TKO to advance in the tournament, #2-ranked contender Superlek Kiatmoo9 dominated Japan’s Taiki Naito to win by unanimous decision, and Savvas Michael overwhelmed Iranian-Malaysian debutant Amir Naseri across three rounds of action to emerge victorious.
Teen BJJ sensation Tye Ruotolo made quick work of former ONE Featherweight World Title challenger Garry Tonon in a lightweight submission grappling bout. Ruotolo took the fight to the mat with relative ease, tossing Tonon to the canvas. The 19-year-old then quickly secured a D’Arce choke from top position just a minute and a half into the contest. With the choke locked in and Tonon’s leg secured, “The Lion Killer” had no choice but to tap out. Ruotolo earned a US$50,000 bonus for his incredible performance.
Tye’s twin brother, Kade Ruotolo, produced a dominant performance against Japanese legend and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki in their lightweight submission grappling contest. The 19-year-old American was aggressive early, forcing Aoki backward as he looked to bring the action to the mat. At one point, Ruotolo even exploded with a highlight-reel kick off the Circle Wall to take his foe’s back. On the ground, the young star attacked with a plethora of submission attempts as “Tobikan Judan” played defense. After time expired, Ruotolo took home a unanimous decision.
Performance bonus winners: Petchmorakot Petchyindee, Joseph Lasiri, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Tye Ruotolo
MAIN CARDMuay Thai – Featherweight: Petchmorakot Petchyindee def. Jimmy Vienot via Split DecisionMuay Thai – Strawweight: Joseph Lasiri def. Prajanchai PK.Saenchai via TKO at 3:00 of R3Muay Thai – Flyweight: Rodtang Jitmuangnon def. Jacob Smith via Unanimous DecisionSubmission Grappling – Lightweight: Tye Ruotolo def. Garry Tonon via D’Arce Choke at 1:37Submission Grappling – Lightweight: Kade Ruotolo def. Shinya Aoki via Unanimous DecisionMuay Thai – Flyweight: Walter Goncalves def. Josue Cruz via TKO at 0:35 of R1
LEAD CARDMuay Thai – Flyweight: Superlek Kiatmoo9 def. Taiki Naito via Unanimous DecisionMuay Thai – Flyweight: Savvas Michael def. Amir Naseri via Unanimous DecisionMMA – Atomweight: Alyse Anderson def. Asha Roka via Submission (Triangle Choke) at 2:04 of R1Kickboxing – Featherweight: Mohammed Boutasaa def. Davit Kiria via Unanimous DecisionMMA – Strawweight: Nat Jaroonsak def. Zeba Bano via Submission (Armbar) at 1:22 of R1Muay Thai – Flyweight: Sherzod Kabutov def. Denis Puric via Unanimous DecisionMMA – Strawweight: Elipitua Siregar def. Robin Catalan via Submission (Anaconda Choke) at 2:58 of R1
