Morocco’s Imad Salhi claimed a well-deserved debut win in ONE Championship, knocking out opponent Arashi Sakamoto at ONE Friday Fights 77.
The knockout came at 1:40 in the second round after the Moroccan followed a right hook with a massive left kick that dropped the Japanese athlete onto the canvas.
Salhi had dominated much of the action before the finish, putting together a solid performance in Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Looking confident throughout the Catchweight (54.88 Kg) Muay Thai fight, the 22-year-old used a variety of kicks and quick movements to unsettle and keep his opponent away.
The pivotal moment came just as Sakamoto was fighting back with punches only for Salhi to hit back with two quick strikes that finished the bout abruptly.
With a spectacular KO win, Salhi opened his account at ONE Championship’s ONE Friday Fights series in style and raised his overall professional to 14-1 with nine victories coming via knockout.
