South African MMA sensation Willie van Rooyen brings his impeccable track record into the global spotlight of ONE Championship. The undefeated fighter immediately faces his toughest challenge against a dangerous Uzbek finisher.
Van Rooyen meets Avazbek Kholmirzaev in a flyweight MMA fight on A Fighting Night 37 on Friday, November 7, broadcast live from Bangkok, Thailand. The 23-year-old newcomer joins an ever-expanding card featuring multiple high-stakes competitions across a variety of disciplines.
The Pretoria native has established himself as one of Africa’s most exciting young talents since turning professional in 2023. His 7-0 record shows a well-rounded skill set built on world-class kickboxing fundamentals that translate dangerously into MMA competition.
Van Rooyen comes into ONE driving momentum after four consecutive stoppage time victories. His most impressive performance came in 2025 when he captured the EFC flyweight title in just 37 seconds via a devastating straight right hand. Three months later, he successfully defended that championship by delivering a rear-naked choke to his opponent.
The A-Team Stars product under coach Nico Mothata has finishing instincts that keep fights out of the hands of the judges. His combination of attack and submission skills causes problems everywhere in the fight. But that excellence is immediately tested under Kholmirzaev’s relentless pressure.
Kholmirzaev made a name for himself with spectacular performances in the ONE Friday Fights series. Furthermore, the Uzbek began his promotional run in February 2024 with three consecutive highlights that heralded his arrival among elite flyweight prospects.
A tough decision loss in September 2024 temporarily slowed his momentum. But he responded by taking three more wins before achieving the biggest victory of his career. His dominant unanimous decision over former two-time DEEP flyweight champion Tatsumitsu Wada last July secured a six-figure contract and a spot on the main roster.
Willie van Rooyen tests skills against proven finisher
Avazbek Kholmirzaev brings a 13-2 record in his US primetime debut. The 24-year-old has an astonishing 92 percent strikeout rate, making him one of the division’s most dangerous young fighters.
Willie van Rooyen’s promotional debut has huge implications for both prospects looking to establish themselves among the flyweight elite. The battle between undefeated and proven finisher raises fascinating stylistic questions about which path leads to championship gold.
Van Rooyen’s kickboxing foundation offers advantages in striking exchanges. His sharp combinations and finishing power, demonstrated against African competition, are now being tested against opposition at international level. The South African must prove that his skills translate into ONE’s deeper talent pool.
Kholmirzaev’s experience navigating the weekly ONE grinder provides crucial advantages. He understands the organizational expectations and level of competition that awaits newcomers. His journey from Friday Fights obscurity to the main contract cements his championship potential.
Both fighters have the finishing instincts that guarantee fireworks when they collide. Van Rooyen’s preference for early breaks meets Kholmirzaev’s relentless pressure in what should produce explosive action from the opening bell.
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