Zhao Zhi Kang made an impressive promotional debut in ONE Championship, and kicked off the main card of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD in exciting fashion.
On Friday, 10 November, at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, the Chinese featherweight submitted Kun Khmer specialist Thai “The Buffalo” Rithy via rear-naked choke in the opening stanza.
Rithy looked to establish his right hand from the opening bell, as he took the center of the cage and put Zhao on his back foot. The Chinese featherweight responded by circling around Rithy and hitting a quick takedown.
Although the Cambodian scooted backward towards the cage and tried to get back to his feet, he desperately grabbed the fence. Referee Olivier Coste rebuked him, and then Zhao immediately took him back down.
From there, Zhao transitioned his way to the full mount and started to unload punishment, blasting Rithy with an elbow that made him turn over and give up his back.
Unfortunately for Rithy, that only made a bad situation worse as the 22-year-old Chinese athlete immediately flattened him out and locked an arm deep under his chin.
The Cambodian has no choice but to tap. Zhao secured the win at 2:31 of the first round. He improves to 23-3 with the rear-naked choke victory.
