Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam mixed martial arts exponent Adib Sulaiman improved his bout record to three wins and two losses after he defeated Susovan Ghosh of India via a technical knockout (TKO) in the second round in the One Warrior Series 10 yesterday.

Battling it out at 56.7kg strawweight division, Adib Sulaiman, one of the key figures in the rise of MMA in Brunei, took on a tricky customer in experienced 37-year old Susovan Ghosh.

Just seconds into the three-round contest in Singapore, the Bruneian ace, eight years his opponent’s junior, pulled a big right hand right to the chin, which caught him off balance and knocked him down.

As he looked to inflict more damage, Susovan recovered quickly and both athletes went to the ground with Adib’s back to the mat.

With both opponents staying on the ground, Adib was trying to work the kimura as he chased after his opponent’s left arm.

Adib, who made his debut in the first edition of the One Warrior Series, launched elbows into the side of Susovan’s body to take the wind out of his opponent and reduce the forward momentum.

The Bruneian, fighting out of Wolfpack Training Ground, was digging in punches as his opponent just lied down pinning him to the deck in a seated position on the ropes. Susovan made a takedown without doing anything significant and just held on to Adib.

The fight got a little bit ragged understandably in the dying seconds of the second round with a one-minute breather coming their way.

Susovan was repeatedly looking for the takedown option as Adib needed to stay patient and not overcommit with his shots which he has in his arsenal.

With Susovan looking visibly exhausted, Adib landed short punches on the inside and finished his opponent with a looping hook, prompting referee Tommy Santana to call an end to the bout.

The 10th instalment of the One Warrior Series, which is the brainchild of entrepreneur Rich Franklin, is the first event of the year.

Top MMA prospects from around the world including exponents from Estonia, New Zealand, Egypt, Ukraine, United States and Australia battled it out to earn a lucrative contract and the opportunity to forge a career in the prestigious One Championship.