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James Goyder

A welterweight MMA fight between Hiroyuki Tetsuka and Isi Fitikefu has been added to the ONE 168 card at the Ball Arena in Denver on September 6.
ONE Championship does not publicise its welterweight rankings, but the winner of this fight will be well positioned for a shot at reigning champion Christian Lee when he eventually returns from his two-year hiatus.
Japan’s Tetsuka (14-4) has won his past five fights with all of those victories coming inside the distance.
The former Pancrase welterweight champion has not lost since 2020 and already has two wins to his name this year.
Australian-Tongan Fitikefu (8-1) saw his undefeated streak marred by a split-decision loss to the experienced Ruslan Emilbek at ONE Fight Night 4 last year. He is coming off a submission win over Valmir da Silva, a Brazilian who also lost to Tetsuka recently.
The other fight confirmed this week is a flyweight Muay Thai contest between Johan Gazali and Josue Cruz.

The hard-hitting Malaysian Gazali saw his five-fight winning streak snapped by Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at ONE 167 in Bangkok last month.
His Mexican opponent has yet to win a ONE Championship fight, with both his previous outings ending in a stoppage loss.
ONE Championship’s inaugural event in the US last year took place at the 6,500-capacity 1stBANK Center in Denver. It was a complete sell-out, with Demetrious Johnson beating Adriano Moraes in the main event.
This year’s show in Denver, the second one in the US, will take place at the much bigger Ball Arena, which holds 18,000 and is the long-term home of local NBA team the Denver Nuggets.
This event will be headlined by Englishman Jonathan Haggerty putting his bantamweight Muay Thai title on the line against Superlek Kaitmoo9 – an opponent who has already beaten him once.
There will also be a submission grappling belt up for grabs, with Kade Ruotolo defending his welterweight title against Mikey Musumeci. The challenger currently holds the flyweight belt and will be moving up four weight classes for this clash.


ONE Championship: Superlek stuns Haggerty in 49 seconds to win bantamweight Muay Thai belt

ONE Championship: MMA GOAT Demetrious Johnson announces retirement during ONE 168

ONE Championship: Takeru Segawa excited to finally fight at Lumpinee Stadium

ONE Championship: Adrian Lee was ‘really nervous’ during debut, despite submission win

ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Hiroyuki Tetsuka v Isi Fitikefu MMA fight added to Denver’s ONE 168 card

Hiroyuki Tetsuka has won his past five fights, including two this year, and has not lost since 2020. Photo: ONE Championship

Malaysian Johan Gazali will fight Josue Cruz of Mexico in a flyweight Muay Thai contest. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: ex two-weight champion Aung La Nsang to make return in Denver at ONE 168

Aung La Nsang is making his return to the ONE Championship ring at ONE 168 in Denver. Photo: ONE Championship

Despite being based in the United States, Aung La Nsang fights under the Myanmar flag. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: atomweights Alyse Anderson, Victoria Souza join ONE 168 card in Denver but changes could be in store

American Alyse Anderson, who will fight Victoria Souza at ONE 168, has not fought since being stopped by Stamp Fairtex in Denver last year. Photo: ONE Championship

Brazil’s Souza will fight at both ONE 167 next week and ONE 168 in September. Photo: ONE Championship.

Mikey Musumeci will go up three divisions to face fellow American Kade Ruotolo. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Muay Thai veterans Liam Harrison, Seksan Or Kwanmuang to face off in catchweight bout in Denver

Seksan Or Kwanmuang, seen here against Tyson Harrison, has five months to prepare for Liam Harrison after his recent loss to Yutaro Asahi, his first defeat since 2022. Photo: ONE Championship

Liam Harrison is coming to the end of his career in the ring. Photo: ONE Championship

Mikey Musumeci will be moving up in weight to take on Kade Ruotolo. Photo: ONE Championship

Stamp Fairtex, Superlek Kiatmoo9 to step up in weight for world championship super fights at ONE 168 in Denver

China’s Xiong Jing Nan is unbeaten in nine MMA fights at strawweight. Photo: ONE Championship

Stamp will try to become a two-division title holder in Denver. Photo: ONE Championship

Briton Jonathan Haggerty is on a seven-match winning run. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Chatri Sityodtong promises ‘more shows on the ground’ in the US with ‘huge plans’ for expansion

ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong listens to Demetrious Johnson on stage at the Fight Night 10 post event press conference in Denver. Photos: ONE Championship 

Stamp Fairtex celebrates her win over Alyse Anderson at ONE Fight Night 10.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon speaks at the ONE Fight Night 10 post event press conference in Denver.

Demetrious Johnson celebrates with his title after defeating Adriano Moraes at ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver.

Sport

Martial Arts

The winner of the Ball Arena fight will be well placed for a shot at reigning champion Christian Lee when he returns from his two-year break


The winner of the Ball Arena bout will be well positioned for a shot at reigning champion Christian Lee when he returns from his two-year hiatus.


Muay Thai