After months of explosive action, monumental upsets, and thrilling finishes, the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final is near.
On Sunday, 13 October, the two finalists - France’s Samy “AK47” Sana and Italy’s Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan - will face off inside the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan at ONE: CENTURY PART II.
As we approach this incredible finale, we examine the storylines that surround this epic match-up.
Expect The Unexpected
Samy “AK47” Sana worked hard to prove he belonged with kickboxing’s elite featherweights.
The Frenchman brings ammunition to every one of his matches. In the quarterfinals of the Grand Prix, he was the first to pull the trigger in a shootout with “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex, scoring one of the biggest upsets in recent history.
With each punch and kick, “AK47” lit up the Thai icon, who struggled against the rangier athlete.
While Sana might not have been the favorite coming into the tournament, he is now close to capturing not just the World Grand Prix Title, but also the $US1 million prize.
Does “The Doctor” Have The Remedy?
Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan has the biggest name and best resume out of everyone in the tournament.
Owning a kickboxing career with over a hundred victories and just two losses, Petrosyan is used to being the fan favorite.
However, he cannot get caught up in his past success as he comes into this featherweight finale, especially with Sana’s recent performances.
“The Doctor” has to apply the wisdom he has accumulated while competing at the highest levels of kickboxing.
Sana will want to impose his size and power advantages, that much is clear. But Petrosyan is a terrific counterpuncher and a master of misdirection – precision is key for the man from Italy.
If he can maneuver himself inside by slipping Sana’s consistent jabs, get in range, and deliver a devastating blow to the Frenchman, like he did to “Smokin” Jo Nattawut, “The Doctor” may walk away the winner.
US$1 million awaits the winner of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final. But a win also earns the victor a place in the record books as the best kickboxer in the world.
ONE: CENTURY is the biggest World Championship martial arts event in history. No organization has ever promoted two full-scale World Championship events in one day.
But The Home Of Martial Arts breaks new ground as it features 28 World Champions, four World Title bouts, three World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and four World Champion versus World Champion matches.
The action happens at the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan on 13 October in Tokyo, Japan.
Download the ONE Super App to catch all the action.
Read More From ONE Championship:
4 Lessons We Learned From The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix So Far
How Giorgio Petrosyan Became ‘The Doctor’
Danny Kingad Is A Different Animal Compared To First World Title Bout
