In the first-ever Open Weight Super-Bout in ONE Championship history, ONE Middleweight World Champion Aung La “Burmese Python” N Sang turned in a spirited performance, defeating four-time Muay Thai and kickboxing heavyweight world champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani to the roar of a packed arena.
The two martial arts superstars went to battle in the main event of ONE: HERO’S DREAM, which aired live from the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar on Friday, 3 November.
With so much excitement and anticipation surrounding the headlining tilt, every second proved to be worthwhile. In the end, it was local hero Aung La N Sang who sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy, surviving an offensive onslaught from the powerful Ngalani to win by guillotine choke.
The official finish came at the 4:31 mark of round one after the “Burmese Python” latched onto a deep guillotine choke, pulled guard, and forced the tap.
The bout began with the two warriors touching gloves and embracing in the center of the cage in a huge show of respect. As much as the bout was built as a massive physical challenge for the smaller Aung La N Sang, the difference in size on event night was not as significant, as the taller Myanmar athlete appeared to come in a little heavier than usual for this contest.
Ngalani, who enjoyed a visibly apparent strength advantage, showcased his power, and took the action right to Aung La N Sang. He pushed the “Burmese Python” back up against the fence, shrugging off two big overhand rights from the ONE Middleweight World Champion.
Despite having the advantage in striking, however, Ngalani inexplicably went for the takedown, following Aung La N Sang to the mat and landing in his guard. Aung La N Sang looked to use his butterfly sweep to reverse position, but “The Panther” was simply too big and too strong to oumuscle.
A tactical lapse allowed Aung La N Sang to escape Ngalani’s guard, and wall walk his way back up to the feet. Preventing another takedown, the ONE Middleweight World Champion then wrapped his arm around Ngalani’s exposed neck, and immediately pull guard to bring the bout right back down to the ground.
Unsuccessful, the Myanmar hero switched to an armbar, but was thwarted yet again. However, he must have sensed a hole in Ngalani’s game, because he calmly worked his way back up, secured another guillotine choke, and went for broke with a huge squeeze.
The heavyweight hulk had no choice but to tap, out as there was no escaping the “Burmese Python” this time.
With the win, “The Burmese Python” improves his overall record to 21-10 (1 NC) to close out a tremendous year – one which saw him upset the previously-unbeaten Vitaly Bigdash in June to capture the ONE Middleweight World Championship.
