For the final fight of the ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS preliminary bouts, Saw Ba Oo and Kyal Sin Phyo slugged it out for two whole rounds, much to the delight of a packed Yangon crowd in Myanmar’s Thuwunna Indoor Stadium.
It was no surprise, as both athletes were well-versed in Myanmar lethwei, an elite kickboxing skill native to the country. Kyal Sin Phyo would show his opponent just why he was a national champion in the sport, repeatedly scoring in the standup.
Conversely, Saw Ba Oo decidedly had the upper hand once the action hit the canvas, landing several hard blows on the ground that could easily have prompted the referee to wave off the bout. Ironically, it was Kyal Sin Phyo who had initiated the groundfighting with a takedown.
Kyal Sin Phyo proved a tough nut to crack, however, toughing it out until the bell to see the second round. It would prove to be in vain.
Despite gaining the upper hand in the striking department once again, Kyal Sin Phyo fell victim to a stunning combination from Saw Ba Oo, which caused significant damage above Kyal Sin Phyo’s left eye.
This prompted a pause in the action for the cageside doctor to inspect the wound, which was deemed too serious to allow Kyal Sin Phyo to continue, awarding Saw Ba Oo the doctor’s stoppage victory.
Saw Ba Oo improved his MMA record to 2-1, leaving Kyal Sin Phyo still in search for his first ONE Championship win after two bouts.
