ONE: Thanh Le vs Freymanov interim title fight set

Former champion Thanh Le will take on the No 3-ranked Ilya Freymanov at ONE Fight Night 15 in Bangkok, the promotion confirmed on Saturday.

Bantamweight MMA and Muay Thai champions Andrade and Haggerty, respectively, were set to battle for the vacant kickboxing title in their weight class on the same date.

But the pair will now collide on November 4 at ONE Fight Night 16. No official location has been confirmed for the event.

“Thanh versus Ilya is going to be an absolute technical war between two elite MMA strikers with both speed and KO power,” ONE chairman and CEO Chatri told the Post via text message on Saturday.

“I don’t see this fight going the distance. Someone is getting knocked out.”

Chatri also confirmed to the Post that the Singapore-based martial arts promotion is looking to book the winner against divisional champion Tang Kai by the end of 2023.

The 38-year-old Le was set for a rematch with Tang in July, but the Chinese fighter – who took the belt from him in August 2022 – withdrew with a knee injury.

Russian newcomer Freymanov has now stepped in to face the Vietnamese-American, after back-to-back finishes over former champion Martin Nguyen and Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg.

“Time to have some fun,” Le’s brother and coach Vinh Le said.

Australia’s Nguyen had called for an interim title fight with Garry Tonon after the No 2-ranked American submitted Shamil Gasanov in July.

The No 4-ranked “Situ-Asian” is currently in fight camp at Florida’s Kill Cliff FC gym, but the identity of his opponent has not been made public.