Former Kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter Iraj Azizpour defeats Bruno Chavez in a heavyweight 3 round kickboxing match in the semi-finals at ONE 161.
The Iranian who came in 1 pound under the heavyweight limit, Iraj Azizpour, who trains out of his birthplace, Tehran, entered into ONE FC last year. Prior to him joining, he carried a record of 67-2-4 in muay thai and kickboxing and coming into this fight on a 2 fight win streak.
The Brazilian making his debut in ONE FC, weighing in at 261 lbs, “Bruno “Muhammad Ali” Chavez, Azizpour’s opponent, has with a record of 24-1 in muay thai and kickboxing and is known for his Muhammad Ali-esque rope-a-dope style.
Round 1
Starting off slow like most heavyweight matches do, the two testing the waters landing light jabs with leg and body kicks. Not before Azizpour lands a low-blow that gives Chavez time to recover. Chavez with the break picking up the pace for the rest of the round.
Round 2
There was not much action in the second round even while both came in swinging for the fences with big power shots, none really landing flush. Azzizpour, who landed another low-blow on Chavez with a low-kick is just given another warning. The major strike of the round was Azizpour taking Chavez off his feet with a leg-kick.
Round 3
Going into the third round Chavez corner was letting him know with urgency that he was losing and that he needed to work more. Unfortunately Chavez did not take his corners advice and up his output. The round was Chavez falling back into a hesitant style against Azizpour and eventually not being able to do enough to get the finish. Azizpour lands a left high kick as that is the only significant strike of the match.
Conclusion
Iraj Azizpour was awarded the winner by Unanimous Decision, carrying on now a 3 fight win-streak.
Post fight Iraj talked about some problems that were happening back in Iran, he said that he is wearing the scarf around his neck with the flag to show that he is still with the people despite not being in his homeland.
images credit of: ONE FC
MMA Loki news room staff
