ONE Fight Night 23: Balyko wins and Saldoev loses

Balyko eliminated Korody

Russian striker Alexey Balyko opened the tournament with a quick win over Irishman Stefan Korodi, who weighed 151.5 pounds under Muay Thai rules. The two fighters traded heavily at close range, but it was Balyko’s thunderous left hook that sent Korody to the canvas twice. The Russian’s first punch shocked his opponent, and the second that followed sent the Irish fighter to the canvas. The knockout came at 2:42 of the first round. Balyko earned his 23rd career win, while Korody suffered his first defeat early.

Ali Saldoev suffered the first defeat of his career

The Thai fighter, who competes under the name Black Panther, avenged his loss to Tagir Khalilov by defeating fellow Team Archangel Michael representative Ali Saldoev, handing the Russian the first defeat of his professional career in a Muay Thai match at 139.25 pounds.

In the first round, the 24-year-old Thai twice sent his Russian opponent to the canvas with sharp left hooks, but it was the events of the second round that allowed the Black Panther to improve his record to 79-17 and score his 21st career knockout victory.

When Saldoev began to throw a looping left croquet, the Thai turned around and delivered a precise, high right kick. The Black Panther’s shin touched the opponent’s temple, the Russian’s head went to the side, followed by his body. Saldoev was unable to fully answer the referee’s count. The fight was stopped 23 seconds into the second round.

Alibeg Rasulov won, but did not become champion

In the main event of the evening, former Korean division champion Ok Rae Yoon took on undefeated promotional newcomer Alibeg Rasulov. The fight was originally supposed to be a lightweight MMA title fight, but Rasulov failed to make the weight limit and pass the hydration test within the prescribed time limit, automatically forfeiting his right to the championship belt.

As a result, the fight went five rounds. Rasulov demonstrated his dominance: he beat his opponent in the clinch, dismantled him with combinations and delivered elbow strikes at close range. Ok Rae Yoon stepped up his game in the championship rounds, but it was not enough. The judges awarded the victory to Rasulov, who, after the fight, challenged the current two-division champion Christian Lee to a fight.

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Grishchenko defeated Kan and returned to the top of the ONE heavyweight division

Former ONE world title challenger Kirill Grishchenko returned to winning ways after a three-round bout with “The Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won, improving his professional MMA record to 6-2.

The two heavyweights traded blows from start to finish, rarely straying from their seemingly unspoken rule that the fight would be a stand-up affair. Unfortunately for Kang Ji Won, Grishchenko’s punches were more accurate and caused the Korean to suffer multiple injuries to his eyebrows and cheeks. While he handled his injuries gracefully, he was never able to find his footing and after 15 minutes of fighting, Grishchenko, 32, won a unanimous decision, once again placing himself at the top tier of one of ONE’s fastest-growing divisions.

Ruotolo remains undefeated in ONE

In an intriguing 186-pound bout, reigning welterweight grappling world champion Ty Ruotolo earned a decision victory over 19-year-old prodigy Yusef Chen.

Both fighters fought for position on the feet in the opening minutes, but Ruotolo eventually managed a clean takedown. After that, the Californian began to tirelessly try to get through the defense, but the South African continued to defend himself by leading his counterattacks.

In typical fashion, Ruotolo, 21, kept his foot on the gas in the final minutes of the fight, earning a unanimous decision victory.

With the win, the welterweight grappling champion now has a career record of 28-9 and remains undefeated in ONE Championship.

The ONE Fight Night 23 tournament aired on and Match! Fighter.

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