British fighter Lyndon Knowles is set to challenge formidable Ukrainian Roman Kryklia for the ONE heavyweight Muay Thai world championship. This marks Knowles` debut in ONE Championship, the world`s largest martial arts organization, despite his extensive experience and status as WBC heavyweight Muay Thai champion with 98 career fights.
Knowles views this opportunity as the ultimate achievement in Thai boxing. He stated that he feels prepared for the challenge and believes he can cause an upset, calling it a fitting way to potentially conclude a two-decade career. Knowles is known for his distinctive appearance, featuring a long, curly moustache and a bright bowler hat.
Facing Kryklia, who holds a perfect 6-0 record in ONE with five knockouts, is undoubtedly a tough test. Knowles acknowledged Kryklia`s strength, highlighting his potent knockout punches and dangerous knees.
However, Knowles detailed his strategy to counter these threats, planning to close the distance to neutralize long hooks and work effectively against the knees, potentially using elbows or punches in return. He fully understands the difficulty of the upcoming bout.
Trained by his brother Christian, Knowles is familiar with ONE Championship events from cornering teammates like Jonathan Haggerty. He proudly stated, “We`re the gym that makes the impossible possible.”
Knowles has prepared intensely, including a recent camp in Las Vegas with UFC fighter Khalil Rountree. This training focused on adapting to ONE`s smaller gloves, improving both defense and offense, as the smaller gloves allow for different angles and make it easier for shots to get through guards. He described the Vegas camp as “absolutely incredible.”
Despite Kryklia`s formidable power and reach, Knowles expressed confidence in his plan to disrupt the champion`s flow. He described his fighting style as a pressure fighter who likes to move forward, acknowledging the need for tactical intelligence against Kryklia`s long knees. Knowles aims to be entertaining and is eager to prove doubters wrong, predicting the fight will not last the full five rounds.
For Knowles, this bout represents a pivotal, career-defining moment on the sport`s biggest platform as he seeks to dramatically alter the heavyweight landscape and capture the title.
Nico Carrillo`s Featherweight Move After Tough Loss
The fight card also includes Scotland`s Nico Carrillo, known as the `King of the North,` moving up from bantamweight to featherweight to face Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. Carrillo faces this challenge after a difficult loss to Nabil Anane in a fight for the interim bantamweight title.
However, Carrillo feels renewed by the weight class change and is enthusiastic about competing against Sitthichai, whom he regards as a legend and one of the best kickboxers of the modern era.
Looking back at the Anane fight, Carrillo described it as a “terrible experience” that occurred during his biggest opportunity. He believes the struggle with making weight significantly impacted his performance, stating he was “beat 24 hours before I stood in the ring” due to the weigh-in difficulties, feeling he “destroyed myself.”
Despite the temptation of a title shot in the lower division, which he admits he was “totally blinded by,” he has now initiated a “reset button.” He expressed a focus on enjoying the process and taking his career “one fight at a time.”
In preparation, Carrillo also spent time coaching MMA icon Georges St-Pierre, guiding him through a Muay Thai session focused on drills and techniques. Carrillo noted that even he continues learning Muay Thai daily, emphasizing the significant difference between Muay Thai and MMA striking. He considers Muay Thai exceptionally intricate and unique among striking sports.
