The reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai champion Smilla Sundell will make her kickboxing debut against Milana Bjelogrlić, who will be making her promotional debut with the Singapore-based organization, at ONE Friday Fights 18 on May 26.
Sundell returns to professional competition following a 14-month layoff, having captured the inaugural ONE Strawweight title in April of last year with a unanimous decision victory over Jackie Buntan. Her triumph capped off a five-fight undefeated streak, which saw her win four fights and go to a draw once.
Bjelogrlić has had a much more notable amateur career than a professional one, having won medals in national, European, and World championships, although she's found solid success in her professional appearances too. A major advantage that the Serbian will have will be her size, as she matches Sundell in both height and reach, not to mention she's fought between 60 KG and 70 KG over the past few years as well, compared to Sundell who's competed at 56.7 KG in ONE.
Should Sundell wins, perhaps the most obvious fight to make is a ONE Kickboxing Strawweight championship bout between her and Jackie Buntan. Both have hinted at a rematch with Buntan saying, "I want to be a two-sport world champion in Muay Thai and kickboxing. I truly believe I'm the number one contender for both", while Sundell in turn stated: "I hope I can be there next time ONE [goes to the US]. Who knows, maybe it'll be against Buntan."
Having an American standout fight for a title on American soil does seem like a no-brainer, should Sundell make it past Bjelogrlić.
BOUTASAA VS. SIASARANI
Mohammed Boutasaa, 23, makes his return to the ring, after dropping a close decision to Thai great Sitthichai in his latest outing. Hailed as the next big thing in the Featherweight division, it was the first defeat of the Moroccan’s professional career.
Opposite him will stand Muay Thai fighter, Mohammed Siasarani. The Iranian made his promotional debut in June, with a unanimous decision win against Avatar PK Saenchai in January. Boutasaa will enter the bout as a big favorite, but Siasarani has the chance to shoot up the rankings, if he's able to pull off the upset.
