Stephen Loman TKOs high contender Yusup Saadulaev In Dominant Debut

Stephen “The Sniper” Loman put the bantamweight division on excessive alert in his ONE Championship debut.

The Filipino, who entered the Circle driving an eight-fight profitable streak, took out #3-ranked contender Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev with a first-round TKO of their MMA showdown at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II on Friday, 17 December.

The southpaws circled one another after the opening bell sounded contained in the Singapore Indoor Stadium after which started to throw leather-based. Loman had his chin firmly tucked behind his proper shoulder, and for good purpose, as Saadulaev’s left hand was touchdown arduous and on course.

Loman ate the photographs and swung at “Maestro,” however he was too far outdoors and missed greater than he hit. Nevertheless, two straight lefts from “The Sniper” discovered their mark, and he was proper again within the combine.

Saadulaev returned the favor with two lefts of his personal, with the second snapping the Group Lakay debutant’s head again sharply when it related.

Two-and-a-half minutes into the struggle, the Russian submission artist nonetheless hadn’t tried a takedown, so Loman – who wished to show Group Lakay’s floor sport might be nearly as good as its wushu prowess – was pressured to remain on the toes and blitz with strikes.

Hooks received thrown, legs had been attacked, and each males stuttered from their opponent’s feints, however neither landed any important injury till Saadulaev countered one of many debutant’s low kicks. The Russian’s straight left dropped the younger upstart, however “The Sniper” jumped again to his toes with intent.

In a fast turnaround, Loman blasted Saadulaev with a left hand. “Maestro” stumbled into the Circle Wall and tried to recuperate, however the Filipino adopted and pummeled him with straight punches.

Loman backed off, reset, after which tagged Saadulaev with a left hook simply as his rival cocked again to unleash his personal.

“Maestro” fell, rolled onto his again, and the Filipino dropped down two extra hammerfists earlier than referee Olivier Coste stopped the bout at 4:09 of spherical one.

The victory moved Loman’s file to 15-2 and should have earned him the subsequent shot on the ONE Bantamweight World Title, which can be determined in 2022 when present divisional king Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes takes on #1-ranked contender John “Arms of Stone” Lineker.