Faine Mesquita has made a successful start to her ONE Championship career.
The Brazilian-born Aussie outpointed teenage phenom Baktygul Kurmanbekova at ONE Friday Fights 43 this past Friday, with her superior grappling proving to be the difference in the strawweight MMA battle at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kurmanbekova flew out of the blocks with a blood curdling scream to open proceedings at the beginning of each round, but ultimately it was Mesquita’s physical strength and heavy top game that won the day.
The early stages of the fight belonged to the Kyrgyz former amateur boxer, who flipped the script and searched for an early takedown and leglock attempt.
But Mesquita was wise to the position and was able to reverse to spend the last two minutes of the opening round on top raining down punches.
The second followed a similar pattern, turning into a back-and-forth grappling match. Again, the Family Fight Team representative had the better of the exchanges, taking Kurmanbekova’s back at one stage and dominating top position.
It was more of the same in the final stanza, as the 19-year-old leaped in for another takedown but still had no answer for the ultra-active guard of Mesquita.
Kurmanbekova maintained top position for the majority of the round but was unable to mount any offence and cut a frustrated figure after the final bell.
The judges unanimously sided with Mesquita, who improved her professional record to 2-0 and has likely secured another chance to impress the ONE brass on the promotion’s Friday Fights platform.
The 35-year-old continues the momentum she accrued in her 6-1 amateur career, which culminated in a stunning gold medal run at the IMMAF tournament in Serbia earlier this year.
Kurmanbekova falls to 4-3 and saw her 2-fight win streak snapped.
ONE Friday Fights 43 Full Results
Flyweight Muay Thai: Pettonglor Sitluangpeenumfon defeats Kongsuk Fairtex via split decision
Flyweight Muay Thai: Kongthoranee Sor Sommai defeats Parsa Aminpour via knockout at 1:07 of round three
Catchweight (139 LBS) Muay Thai: Sibsan Nokkhao KorMor11 defeats Award “The African Venom” Kazimba via unanimous decision
Atomweight Muay Thai: Chokdee Maxjandee defeats Yousif Qadir via knockout at 0:48 of round two
Catchweight (124 LBS) Muay Thai: Jomjai Naksugym defeats Kaoklai Chor Hapayak via unanimous decision
Catchweight (122 LBS) Muay Thai: Petnamkhong Mongkolpet defeats BM Fairtex via knockout at 1:45 of round three
Catchweight (129 LBS) Muay Thai: Aslamjon Ortikov defeats Chatanan Sor Jor Joyprajin via knockout at 2:33 of round one
Lightweight Muay Thai: Mustafa Al Tekreeti defeats Chanajon PK Saenchai via knockout at 1:43 of round two
Catchweight (126 LBS) Muay Thai: Rambong Sor Therapat defeats Jiduo Yibu via unanimous decision
Featherweight MMA: Nachyn Sat defeats Carlos Alvarez via TKO at 4:27 of round two
Strawweight MMA: Ryosuke Honda defeats Dave Bangguigui via unanimous decision
Strawweight MMA: Faine Mesquita defeats Baktygul Kurmanbekova via unanimous decision
