The 23-year-old South African brings legitimate finishing ability to ONE Fight Night 37. His four consecutive stoppage victories include a 37-second title-winning knockout in May and a subsequent rear-naked choke defense three months later.
His kickboxing foundation provides a strong base that translates well in MMA. After all, athletes who build on fundamentals typically adjust more successfully than those relying on physical advantages that disappear when adversity comes knocking.
But Van Rooyen’s perfect record was built against South African opposition that doesn’t match ONE Championship’s depth. His first global test comes against someone who has already navigated that exact transition successfully.
Kholmirzaev earned his six-figure contract with ONE through ONE Friday Fights. His 13-2 record includes a 92 percent finishing rate that proves his ability to end contests rather than simply win decisions. More importantly, his decisive victory over former two-time DEEP Flyweight Champion Tatsumitsu Wada proved he belongs among legitimate contenders.
The Uzbek striker’s momentum stems from learning through adversity. His September 2024 decision loss didn’t derail his trajectory. It provided lessons that made his subsequent three-fight stoppage streak more impressive. Athletes who respond to defeat with improved performances typically possess championship mentality.
Victories usual favor the athlete with elite-level experience. Kholmirzaev has faced the pressure of performing for contract opportunities and main roster positioning. He understands the speed and power differences between regional competition and global athletes.
Van Rooyen enters without that experiential knowledge. His perfect record means he’s never needed to adjust mid-contest or develop contingency plans when initial strategies fail. That inexperience with adversity at this level creates vulnerability against opponents who have survived those exact challenges.
Both athletes possess finishing instincts that could produce early stoppages. Van Rooyen’s kickboxing combinations and submission skills create multiple paths to victory, while Kholmirzaev’s 92 percent finishing rate suggests someone who consistently finds ways to end contests decisively.
That said, fans should expect a finish in this explosive flyweight battle come November 7.
