Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon returns to ONE Championship and Executes Flawless Kneebar Finish
In the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 12, Garry Tonon, known as ‘The Lion Killer,’ delivered another impressive finish with a second-round submission against previously undefeated Russian fighter Shamil Gasanov. Tonon showcased his grappling skills, scrambling back to his feet and transitioning to Gasanov’s back in the first round. In the second round, Tonon capitalized on a clinch, executing a knee bar that forced Gasanov to tap out. With this victory, Tonon improves his record to 8-1 in ONE Championship and earns a well-deserved $50,000 bonus. Meanwhile, Gasanov will regroup and learn from his first career loss.

The stage was set for an action-packed evening as ONE Fight Night 12 brought together some of the most talented fighters from around the world. With an array of MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing bouts, the event left fans on the edge of their seats with its electrifying fights and stunning finishes. One of the highlights of the night was the incredible Gary Tonon kneebar that gave Gasanov his first career defeat.

“I guess Leglocks in MMA aren’t all that bad 🤣🤣 Seemed to save me from the a$$ beating of a lifetime.”
-Garry Tonon via Twitter post ONE Fight Night 12
Garry Tonon vs Shamil Gasanov: Gary Tonon Kneebar Finish
The Featherweight MMA clash between 5X EBI champion Garry Tonon of the United States and Shamil Gasanov from Russia promised fireworks, and it did not disappoint. Tonon, known for his exceptional grappling skills, showcased his expertise by securing a submission victory in the second round. It was a battle of Wrestling versus Jiu-Jitsu. The Russian Wrestler pinned Garry multiple times to the mats and began driving knees. One of these such encounters caused Garry to have a gash that bled all over the campus. It was almost too late for Garry but with the dripping blood came an opportunity that Garry took full advantage of! Garry put Gasanov in the deepest of Kneebars. It was a Garry Tonon kneebar finish at the end, with Garry’s head dripping blood! Gasanov put up a valiant fight, but Tonon’s ground game proved too much to handle, ultimately earning him the well-deserved win. Garry Tonon trains under John Danaher of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu and represents Evolve MMA. He also is the founder and owner of Garry Tonon Jiu Jitsu.
We’re hype to follow Garry Tonon’s journey with ONE Championship – check out our full breakdown of his previous match here.

ONE Championship: ONE Fight Night 12 Full Results
Main Event: Superlek Delivers Knockout Against Khalilov
In the Catchweight Muay Thai showdown, Superlek Kiatmoo9 from Thailand squared off against Tagir Khalilov from Russia. Superlek wasted no time in asserting his dominance, unleashing a relentless assault of strikes that overwhelmed Khalilov. In the second round, Superlek’s powerful blows proved too much for his opponent, resulting in a TKO victory that sent shockwaves through the arena.

Aliakbari vs Joynson: Aliakbari Pins Joynson in Crucifix
In a battle of heavyweights, Amir Aliakbari from Iran faced off against Dustin Joynson from Canada. Aliakbari wasted no time in making his presence felt, swiftly submitting Joynson in the first round. The Iranian fighter displayed his formidable MMA grappling skills by pinning Joynson in a Crucifix, leaving Joynson with no chance to recover.

Catchweight MMA: Wakamatsu Crushes Xie Wei in Round 1
The Catchweight MMA bout between Xie Wei of China and Yuya Wakamatsu from Japan saw an explosive start, with both fighters trading heavy blows. However, it was Wakamatsu who emerged victorious with a TKO finish in the first round. The Japanese fighter’s powerful strikes proved decisive, bringing an end to the thrilling contest.

Featherweight MMA: Abdullaev Wails on Canarte
In the Featherweight MMA matchup, Aaron Canarte from Ecuador faced Akbar Abdullaev from Kyrgyzstan. The fight didn’t last long as Abdullaev unleashed a flurry of strikes, resulting in a TKO victory in the first round. Canarte put up a brave fight, but Abdullaev’s relentless offense proved too much to handle.

Atomweight Muay Thai: Phetjeeja Quickly Shuts down Fernandez
The Atomweight Muay Thai clash between Lara Fernandez from Spain and Phetjeeja from Thailand showcased the skill and tenacity of both fighters. In an exhilarating first round, Phetjeeja’s relentless attack earned her a TKO victory, leaving Fernandez unable to continue.
Watch Grappling Superfight: Garry Tonon vs Shinya Aoki Full Match for free here
Catchweight MMA: Banma secures Unanimous Decision Victory
The Catchweight MMA showdown between Walter Goncalves from Brazil and Banma Duoji from China had its fair share of drama. While Goncalves displayed impressive skills, Banma received a technical foul during the match. Nevertheless, Banma’s overall performance secured him a hard-fought unanimous decision victory in the third round.
Grappling: Musumeci Dominates for the Win
Tammi Musumeci and Amanda “Tubby” Alequin, the two talented fighters showcased their skills and determination inside the ring. Musumeci, known for her technical prowess and agility, proved to be a formidable opponent for Alequin. Throughout the fight, Musumeci displayed her strong grappling, constantly pressuring Alequin and fighting for the leg game. Despite Alequin’s resilience and determination, Musumeci’s consistent control and effective offense ultimately earned her a well-deserved unanimous decision victory.
Lightweight Kickboxing: Shumarov Delivers Shocking Knockout
Lightweight kickboxing match between Constantin Rusu and Bogdan Shumarov, Rusu dominated the majority of the fight with his superior technique and precision strikes. His relentless pressure and calculated aggression kept Shumarov on the defensive, showcasing Rusu’s exceptional skills. However, in a remarkable turn of events, Shumarov found a moment of brilliance in the third round and delivered a devastating head kick knockout at 1:33. Despite Rusu’s dominance, Shumarov’s knockout victory showcased his unwavering determination and the unpredictable nature of combat sports, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
ONE Fight Night 12 Full Recap Conclusion
ONE Fight Night 12 lived up to its reputation as a premier combat sports event, delivering thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. With fighters from across the globe showcasing their skills, the event left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the world of ONE Championship. For more on Garry Tonon visit his ONE Championship fighter page here.