For mere mortals, it’s hard to understand what on earth possesses a young man to stand in a mixed martial arts cage, knees bent and fists clenched, looking for all the world as though he’s ready to breathe his last breath in front of a live audience. And yet, there’s something irresistibly compelling about it. A proper rite of passage, with dreams made from sweat and stitched together with plasters and good intentions.
Take Connor Tymon, for instance. Barely out of the amateur ranks and already making his professional debut on the polished stage of the ONE Championship. In Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, no less. The sort of place that echoes with the ghosts of a thousand fights and where the canvas itself probably has more stories to tell than most of the fighters do. Tymon’s opponent, Sumit ‘Eagle’ Bhyan, looked ready to end his aspirations before they even began. But then, 46 seconds into the second round, the ref’s arm waved, and Tymon’s dream was still intact. A technical knockout, conducted in a manner that suggests the hype is real.
And keep an eye on him fans certainly will. Tymon’s victory has already started tongues wagging, hinting at a future that might just be a little brighter than most. After all, he’s not the first to make his way from ONE to somewhere even grander, is he? Who would bet against him following in the footsteps of other legends by appearing under both the ONE and UFC banners? Not us. Here are five who Tymon can aspire to emulate.
Demetrious Johnson – The Mighty Mouse Goes Global
You can’t leave out Demetrius Johnson when talking about fighters who’ve made their mark in both ONE and the UFC. It’s a bit like mentioning Shakespeare in a conversation about playwrights or Bakewell tarts when discussing puddings. No list feels quite right without him.
He was already something of a living legend before he even set foot in ONE Championship, thanks to his long reign as UFC Flyweight Champion. But it was his decision to cross over to ONE that made people sit up and take notice. It wasn’t just a case of chasing titles. There was a whiff of something more principled about it, the allure of a promotion that prided itself on the traditional martial arts ethos. But then, Johnson’s the sort who’d look effortlessly graceful slipping on ice. Adaptability was always his strong suit, and wherever he goes, greatness seems to follow like a particularly faithful Labrador.
Eddie Alvarez – The Underground King Keeps Swinging
And what about Eddie Alvarez? A man who’s made a career out of defying expectations and looking remarkably cheerful about the whole thing. His arrival at ONE Championship was not so much a step into the unknown as a polite knock on the door with a firm intention of making himself at home.
Already a former UFC Lightweight Champion, Alvarez was no spring chicken when he made the switch. And yet, his performances at ONE were a curious blend of experience and sheer bloody-mindedness. He’s not the most balletic in the cage, but if looking pretty was the objective, most fighters would fail at achieving it. Few better than Alvarez, though.
Ben Askren – The Grappler’s Gamble
Years before getting knocked out by Jake Paul, Ben Askren was once a legitimately respected fighter. His time at ONE was all dominance and wrestling clinics; his opponents often left wondering how they’d ended up in a knot before they’d even thrown a decent punch. Unbeaten, untouchable, and generally looking like a man who’d misplaced his comb but didn’t particularly mind.
Of course, his UFC stint was a different tale altogether, and one that’s been replayed more times than anyone cares to admit, courtesy of Jorge Masvidal’s knee that came out of nowhere. But if you can look past that one jarring moment, there’s no denying Askren’s achievements in both promotions. He may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly made sure his name was remembered.
Brandon Vera – The Truth’s Cross-Promotion Legacy
Brandon Vera’s name tends to pop up whenever anyone talks about heavyweights who’ve made something of themselves across promotions. He’s the sort of fighter who looks like he was carved out of granite by someone who was very fond of triangles. All shoulders and sharp angles.
His UFC tenure was solid enough, but it was at ONE where he seemed to come alive. The heavyweight division there suited him like a well-tailored suit, and he went about his business with the sort of calm efficiency you might expect from someone rearranging their sock drawer. Vera’s success is a fine example of how a change of scenery can make all the difference.
Yushin Okami – A Veteran’s Rebirth
Another entry for the old-school (or just plain old) MMA fans, Yushin Okami’s fighting style seems less about flair and more about practicality, like someone who’s still got the same kettle they bought thirty years ago and sees no reason to replace it.
Okami’s time at UFC was characterised by dogged persistence, the kind that wears opponents down like a slow drip from a leaky tap. When he made the switch to ONE, he fought with admirably determination, perhaps fuelled by a motivation to prove he wasn’t too old for the sport. His journey shows that you don’t always have to be the flashiest fighter to make an impact. Sometimes, staying power is enough.
Next ONE Major Events
Fight fans won’t have to wait until Tymon’s next bout for more ONE action. ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, scheduled for March 23, 2025, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, pits Rodtang Jitmuangnon against Takeru Segawa in what many analysts call a super-fight.
Many bookmakers have listed Rodtang as the favorite for this fight — unsurprising given his status as a former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. However, Takeru shouldn’t be overlooked, as he holds an impressive record as a three-division K-1 Champion. Odds may vary between sportsbooks, so if you’re interested in checking the latest numbers, be sure to follow the best bookmakers in the market. This fight will squash a long-time beef between the pair, with the bout previously postponed in early 2024 after injury scuppered plans. Whoever wins, expect a barnburner.
Another big fight is Roman Kryklia vs. Lyndon Knowles, which will take place on April 4, 2025, at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The Ukrainian hopes to secure his fourth consecutive victory in his defense of the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title. Knowles, who will be making his ONE debut, has nearly 100 professional fights under his belt. Everything is set to be an intriguing fight.
While odds for this matchup aren’t available yet, Kryklia is widely expected to enter as the favorite, thanks to his track record of dominance in ONE Championship. Still, with Knowles’ veteran savvy and hunger to make a statement, this bout has all the ingredients to deliver fireworks.
The Road Ahead for Tymon
Whether Tymon goes on to achieve anything like the success of those before him is, of course, anybody’s guess. But if his debut is anything to go by, he’s already got the resilience and the hunger. And in this peculiar, punishing sport, that counts for a lot. The path from ONE to UFC isn’t always smooth and vice versa, but for those willing to walk it, the rewards can be spectacular.
For now, at least, Tymon’s journey is one worth watching. And perhaps, just perhaps, the tale of a young fighter from the Isle of Wight will one day be remembered alongside those of the legends who made the leap before him.
