ONE Fight Night 17: Roberts looking beyond ‘explosive’ clash with Kryklia, targets Muay Thai domination
- Australian Alex Roberts makes his ONE Championship debut on Saturday, but is already eyeing a title defence
- He will face a tough opponent in Roman Kryklia, who has yet to lose a ONE fight
Most fighters come into their ONE Championship debut with more modest goals than Alex Roberts. They want to win, to put in an impressive performance and, if possible, to take home a US$50,00 bonus.
Roberts has loftier ambitions: the Australian headlines ONE Fight Night 17 in Bangkok this weekend in a clash of Muay Thai heavyweights with Roman Kryklia, and is already looking to clear out the division.
With a title on the line, Roberts, the reigning WBC heavyweight Muay Thai world champion, is looking beyond Saturday’s bout, with both eyes on not only defending the crown, but ultimately retiring on top after a long career with the organisation.
The 34-year-old, who has a 14-3 career record, may not the normal goals but this is not a normal debut, at stake is the right to be crowned ONE’S first heavyweight Muay Thai champion.
Kryklia is not a normal opponent either, the reigning light heavyweight and heavyweight kickboxing champion has never lost a ONE Championship fight.
Still, Roberts has a lot of respect for an opponent he will finally come face-to-face with in Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday.