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Smilla Sundell Stuns Natalia Diachkova to Force Vacant Belt at ONE Fight Night 22
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailJAY PETTRY MAY 3, 2024 COMMENTS
The women’s muay thai belt at 125 pounds may not be in anyone’s possession now, but the division’s only champion is on a mission to get it back very soon. One Championship and beltholder Smilla Sundell (36-5, 5-0 ONE) had visions of the 19-year-old from Sweden claiming titles across multiple disciplines, but much changed the day before the event. Sundell missed her weight class by 1.5 pounds and was forced to surrender her throne, and only challenger Natalia Diachkova (30-5, 4-1 ONE) could claim it. While ONE on Prime Video 22 concluded with a vacant 125-pound belt in One’s women’s muay thai division, it all-but promised an immediate rematch as Sundell pulled victory from the jaws of defeat as she dispatched Diachkova right before the second round ended.
Diachkova proved early on that her power would play a factor during the match. The underdog chained clean combinations together, landing flush on the face of the heavier woman repeatedly. As Diachkova continued to tag Sundall, damage began to mount almost immediately. Reddening quickly turned to swelling, and the Russian bullied the younger lady around the ring. Sundell’s left eye grew in size while a small mouse ballooned on her forehead. This momentum continued for the woman known as “Karelian Lynx” as she appeared to be on the path to an upset.
The Team Mehdi Zatout fighter beat Sundell to the punch as the second round progressed, with little sign of her slowing. Out of nowhere, as if a switch had been flipped in the former champion, Sundell unleashed a hellacious left hook to the liver that completely changed the complexion of the evening. Diachkova swung back valiantly, but the delayed reaction of the sudden disabling blow caught up with her as her body contorted in pain. Sundell knew that she had the challenger figuratively and literally on the ropes, and she released a seemingly unending combination of fists to the torso and side of the head until knees were in play. As “The Hurricane” swelled and clobbered Diachkova with knees, the Russian turned and put her body through the ropes to signal physical surrender. Referee Olivier Coste waved the match off at 2:59 of the second frame, punctuating a shocking comeback for the ex-champ.
Commentator Mitch Chilson remarked during Sundell’s post-fight interview that she would have likely received a $50,000 bonus check in addition to the giant belt getting wrapped around her waist, but the weight miss disqualified her from both. Sundell apologized for her mistake and promised that her next fight—almost certainly a rematch with Diachkova with gold on the line—would go differently.
Smilla Sundell Stuns Natalia Diachkova to Force Vacant Belt at ONE Fight Night 22
The women’s muay thai belt at 125 pounds may not be in anyone’s possession now, but the division’s only champion is on a mission to get it back very soon.
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