Danial Williams is back in the win column after a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Banma Duoji at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II.
“Mini T” proved to be the more technical striker throughout the three round flyweight MMA contest, which went down at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 5.
The Perth native began the fight regularly switching stances in a bid to confuse Duoji, but he did eat a few hard left hands from the Chinese southpaw in the process.
Williams landed a series of hard leg kicks, which has been a feature of his game, before sitting Duoji down with a punch in dying seconds of the opening round.
Williams grew in confidence in the second, with his hard kicks to the body and straight right hands leaving Duoji somewhat gun-shy as the fight wore on.
The question going into the fight was whether the 31-year-old could ward off Duoji’s wrestling game, and he passed the test with aplomb, quickly shrugging off several takedown attempts from “The Prince” throughout the fight.
The striking realm was competitive, but Williams’ pressure and cleaner work down the stretch saw his hand raised in victory for the first time in four fights.
In fairness, his defeats have come at the hands of stellar opposition such as two-sport, two-weight ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 and former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella, but Williams still cut a relieved figure as ONE ring announcer Dom Lau announced the decision.
A multi-talented combat sports athlete, Williams declared his intention to return to his roots and take a fight under Muay Thai rules next. He last competed in “the art of eight limbs” in a classic war with Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon in his 2021 ONE Championship debut.
ONE Fight Night 25 Full Results
ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title: Regian Eersel defeated Alexis Nicolas (c) via unanimous decision
Lightweight Muay Thai: Youssef Assouik defeated Sinsamut Klinmee via unanimous decision
Bantamweight Muay Thai: John Lineker defeated Alexey Balyko via knockout (left hook) R1, 2:14
Strawweight MMA: Mansur Malachiev defeated Bokang Masunyane via unanimous decision
Flyweight Muay Thai: Johan Estupinan defeated Zakaria El Jamari via knockout (punches) R2, 1:07
Catchweight (119.25-pounds) Muay Thai: Shir Cohen defeated Amy Pirnie via unanimous decision
Strawweight Muay Thai: Rui Botelho defeated Thongpoon PK Saenchai via unanimous decision
Catchweight (136.26-pounds) MMA: Danial Williams defeated Banma Duoji via unanimous decision
