Preview: One Championship 'Pursuit of Greatness'

Super Series Kickboxing - Light Heavyweights
Ibrahim El Bouni (37-6-1) vs. Tarik Khbabez (43-5-1)

A bout that seems predestined to end in with a body hitting the ground, the light heavyweight clash between Dutch-Moroccan fighters Ibrahim El Bouni and Tarik Khbabez should be one of the most entertaining bouts of the night. For both men, it will be their second appearance in a ONE Championship event, and both fighters will come into the cage on the back of impressive knockout victories. El Bouni, who is the more polished fighter, announced his arrival in ONE with a first-round knockout of Australian giant Andre Meunier. In 2017, the 25-year-old made it to the final of the K-1 World Grand Prix Heavyweight Championship tournament and is regarded as one of the top ten light heavyweight kickboxers.

Khbabez’s ONE debut was equally as emphatic as his compatriots with the 26-year-old needing only a round to finish off Hong Kongs’ Alain Ngalani. While his win was not as surgical as El Bouni’s one-punch knockout of Meunier, he still walked out of the bout with a number of newfound fans eager to see just who he would take on next.

It is hard to see this bout going the distance; both men hit hard and are not content to sit around waiting to counter. However, El Bouni may technically be a step above Khbabez which will give him an advantage in the contest.

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