If you were looking for a quiet Friday night, you definitely weren't watching the fights. Between a new heavyweight king being crowned in Minnesota and a relentless Muay Thai war in Bangkok, last night was basically a fever dream for combat sports fans. People always ask who won the fight last night, but the truth is there wasn't just "a" fight—there was a total shifting of the guard across two different continents.
Honestly, the biggest story came out of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Arslan Bilalov didn't just win; he looked like a problem for every heavyweight on the planet.
Arslan Bilalov and the LFA 224 Heavyweight Shakeup
The main event of LFA 224 was supposed to be a competitive scrap for the vacant heavyweight title. Matthew "Bad" Adams is no pushover, but Bilalov made it look like a training session. Basically, Bilalov took Adams down almost immediately, and from there, it was a clinic.
He moved into mount, started dropping elbows that would probably crack a sidewalk, and then smoothed his way into a rear-naked choke. The tap came at 4:47 of the very first round.
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Arslan Bilalov is the new LFA Heavyweight Champion, and he’s now sitting at a perfect 6-0. If the UFC isn't calling his manager this morning, they’re probably not paying attention.
In the co-main, Josiah Harrell—who people call the "Muscle Hamster," which is a hilarious name for someone so terrifying—remained undefeated. He moved to 11-0 by absolutely exhausting Bekmyrza Dosmatov. It was one of those fights where you could see the soul leaving the guy's body in the third round. Dosmatov’s corner finally waved it off at 3:28 of Round 3.
The Blood and Thunder at ONE Friday Fights 138
While things were wrapping up in the States, Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok was already screaming. If you missed the Muay Thai action, you missed Decho Por Borirak putting on a masterclass of volume.
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He was facing Pompet PongSuphan PK in the main event. It was a three-round sprint. Decho just wouldn't stop moving forward. In the second round, he started digging those knees into Pompet's ribs, and you could hear the thud from the back row.
Quick Results from Bangkok
- Decho Por Borirak def. Pompet PongSuphan PK (Unanimous Decision)
- Ayad Albadr def. Chartpayak Saksatoon (Unanimous Decision)
- Ubaid Hussain def. Brazil Aekmuangnon (Unanimous Decision)
The most "Matrix" moment of the night—fittingly—came from Ayad "The Matrix" Albadr. He dropped Chartpayak with a spinning elbow in the second round that looked like it belonged in a movie. Even though Chartpayak survived to the bell, Albadr’s technical skill was just on another level. He’s now on a four-fight win streak.
Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa: The Grudge Match Result
Down in Australia, the domestic "grudge match" between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa actually lived up to the trash talk. There’s been a lot of bitterness between these two for years, mostly stemming from Zerafa’s history with the Tszyu family.
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Nikita proved he’s more than just a famous last name. He fought with a sort of controlled aggression that we haven't seen from him before. Zerafa had his moments with the jab, but Tszyu's pressure was relentless. It’s the kind of win that moves him out of the "prospect" category and firmly into the "contender" conversation.
What Most People Got Wrong About Last Night
A lot of casual fans thought Matthew Adams would use his experience to out-grapple Bilalov. They were wrong. Bilalov’s ground game is light years ahead of what people expected from a "striker."
Also, there was a lot of talk that Decho would gass out in the third round against Pompet. Instead, he actually increased his output. It just goes to show that in Muay Thai, momentum is often more about mental toughness than physical cardio.
Why These Results Actually Matter
- The LFA-to-UFC Pipeline: Historically, the LFA heavyweight champ doesn't stay in LFA for long. Expect Bilalov to be on a Vegas card by summer.
- Muay Thai's Global Rise: The viewership for ONE Friday Fights is exploding because the pace is so much faster than traditional boxing.
- The Tszyu Legacy: Nikita is carving a path that looks very different from Tim’s, and honestly, it might be more exciting for the fans.
Your Combat Sports Checklist for the Week
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve after seeing who won the fight last night, here is exactly what you should do next. Don't just check the scores; watch the tape.
- Watch the Bilalov finish: It’s less than five minutes long and shows exactly why heavyweights are terrified of sambo specialists.
- Rewatch Albadr’s spinning elbow: Specifically, look at how he sets it up by faking the high kick. It’s a lesson in misdirection.
- Keep an eye on Josiah Harrell: He’s 11-0 and has a style that is absolute hell for anyone who isn't a high-level wrestler.
Combat sports moves fast. By next weekend, we'll be talking about a whole new set of winners, but for now, Arslan Bilalov and Decho Por Borirak are the names you need to know.