Askren halts Kadestam in 2nd, keeps ONE FC
Ben Askren of the US stopped Swede Zebaztian Kadestam in the second round to retain the ONE Welterweight World Championship crown at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in China over the weekend.
Askren, one of the best pound-for-pound martial artists in the world, dominated the younger Kadestam all throughout, taking him down to the mat at will with his world-class wrestling skills and finishing him with a volley of punches.
The former US Olympian effortlessly secured a mount position and relentlessly pounded on the Swedish striker to force veteran referee Yuji Shimada to halt the fight in the second round of the main event.
“I am ready for anyone in the world who wants to step up to the plate and challenge me for my title,” said Askren.
In the co-main event, Chinese flyweight prospect Ma Hao Bin proved his mettle on the ground against compatriot Hexigetu, flashing his technical grappling showcase and converting several takedown attempts. He eventually won by guillotine choke with 10 seconds remaining in the second frame.
Singaporean Amir Khan likewise sustained his run, beating Czech Jaroslav Jartim.
Khan quickly brought the action to the mat with a successful takedown then rained down heavy blows to punish Jartim. Although Jartim found a way to return to his feet, Khan easily secured the finish in the stand-up trade with a left high kick and strong right cross. Jartim succumbed shortly after as the referee deemed him unable to continue. The technical knockout win stretched Khan’s streak to five.
Meanwhile, Xu Chun Yan of China and Eh Ya Nut of Cambodia put on a spectacular showcase of aggression to the roar of a packed crowd as they slugged it out right in the opening bell of their strawweight contest.
Although she is known for her boxing background, Xu flaunted her solid ground game to neutralize her Cambodian opponent’s firepower in the stand-up duel, wearing down Eh Ya Nut and scoring a decisive victory via unanimous decision.
Japanese veteran Tetsuya Yamada, on the other hand, claimed his first win under the ONE Championship umbrella, beating China-based American Kyle Rozewski in the first round.