ONE Championship: Giannis Stoforidis stuns commentators with ‘highlight reel’ double knockdown KO in Singapore
- Greek kick-boxer shocks Singapore Indoor Stadium with 31-second win over Beybulat Isaev at ONE: Heavy Hitters
- ‘That’s how you make a debut,’ commentator Mitch Chilson says after Stoforidis’ victory
Giannis Stoforidis stunned fans and commentators alike in his ONE Championship debut.
The Greek kick-boxer, 32, debuted with the Asian martial arts promotion on the main card of Friday’s ONE: Heavy Hitters event in Singapore, taking on streaking Russian knockout artist Beybulat Isaev.
The fight was over in a flash. Early in the first round, the two light heavyweights simultaneously connected with thunderous left hooks. Both men hit the deck – for a rare double-knockdown – but only Stoforidis was able to return to his feet.
The knockout left commentator Mitch Chilson, a former fighter, mystified.
“They both went to the ground but Stoforidis took it and Isaev fell,” Chilson said as the replay aired. “What a shot.”
“That’s how you make a debut.”
Chilson’s broadcast partner Michael Schiavello, one of the most experienced commentators in combat sports, was no less stunned, comparing Stoforidis to legendary Greek kick-boxer “Iron” Mike Zambidis and Australian-Greek veteran Stan Longinidis.