ONE Championship has boosted its heavyweight kickboxing roster with the signing of Samet Agdeve, an undefeated Turkish powerhouse who has quickly made waves on the European circuit. The promotion announced the deal on Thursday, confirming the arrival of one of the sport’s biggest rising stars.
At only 21 years old, Agdeve (17–0, 11 KO) comes into ONE with significant momentum. Just last week, he captured the SENSHI Heavyweight Grand Prix in Varna, Bulgaria, where he defeated three opponents in a single night, including British veteran Rhys Brudenell in the final. The performance not only earned him the tournament crown but also cemented his reputation as one of the most promising heavyweights in the sport.
The timing of Agdeve’s signing is striking. In recent months, ONE Championship has parted ways with several established kickboxing stars like former champion Alexis Nicolas and Thai kickboxing royalty Sitthichai, leading fans to wonder about the promotion’s commitment to its stand-up divisions. On top of that, multiple fighters have spoken out their frustration over the limited opportunities for kickboxers and MMA fighters. Over the years the once active heavyweight division has grown silent, raising the question if champion Roman Kryklia still has a future in the promotion. Against this backdrop, bringing in a new name like Agdeve signals a possible shift or at least a willingness to invest in fresh talent.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AGDEVE?
For Agdeve, the move marks his first step onto the global stage. But it remains unclear how long Agdeve has committed to ONE. What is clear, however, is that the promotion’s heavyweight kickboxing division is thin. Beyond reigning champion Roman Kryklia, the only other active name on the roster is the 39-year-old English veteran Lyndon Knowles. That leaves Agdeve with limited immediate options, but also the opportunity to be fast-tracked into the title picture if he can live up to the hype.
