Among a slew of stunning knockouts and submissions at ONE Fight Night 15 last weekend was a tantalising look at what's to come.
ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty and bantamweight MMA divisional king Fabricio Andrade came together with ONE commentator Mitch Chilson in the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium ring, where they will do battle for the vacant ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title in the ONE Fight Night 16 main event on November 4.
There was plenty of back-and-forth between the pair during the segment, followed by a tense face-off.
An Exchange of words
Andrade was the first man to take the mic.
"Wonder Boy" is riding high after claiming the bantamweight MMA strap with a dominant TKO win over long-time rival John Lineker earlier this year.
Now Andrade is looking to add more gold to his collection and said that he is primed to make history.
"Everything is going perfect [in camp] you know. I'm all about the big fights, and this is as big as it gets," he said.
"This has never happened, the ONE Championship MMA world champion versus the Muay Thai world champion meeting in the middle and fighting for the kickboxing world title. Of course we are aware of [Haggerty's] qualities, but I believe my power is going to be a big difference in this fight. I'm going to do what I do. I knock people out, and this time won't be different."
Haggerty did not take his eyes off the Brazilian, as he confidently returned serve.
Despite Andrade's 43-fight experience in the striking world before transitioning to MMA, the British Muay Thai standout warned his upcoming foe about the dangers of stepping into the ring with a lifelong stand-up fighter.
"First of all, when we get in there and strike, there's no taking me down. So, you're going to have to stand in the middle with me and we're going to have to stand toe-to-toe. I wish you all the best," he said.
Andrade was quick to respond.
"If you watch my MMA fights, I never shot for a takedown in my life. I like to strike, I like to make people feel pain and this time won't be different. I'm going to make him feel some pain," he said.
"The General" also wasted no time shooting down the idea down.
"I don't feel pain," he quipped.
Predictions
When pressed for predictions, Haggerty showed little interest in going to the judges.
The 26-year-old needed less than a round to dispatch long-time ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama back in April, and he plans to put another shocking exclamation point on proceedings on November 4.
"You know me, I'm always there for the stoppage. So, if I can see it, I'm going to take him out for sure," he said.
"Footwork is key [in kickboxing]. I've got great footwork. So, I'm going to drag him into deep waters and show him that he's does not belon his g in there with me."
Andrade, for his part, got straight to the point.
The bantamweight MMA king also plans to make it a short night as he looks to add another big scalp to his impressive resume.
"I'm going to knock him out, that's it," he said.