Lithuanian fighter Dovydas Rimkus walks to the stage during his ONE Championship debut in November. (ONE Championship)
I
t is known that aside from their abilities in the cage, mixed martial artists also have quirky and distinctive styles, and their hairstyles are no exception.
In ONE Championship, there are at least five athletes who have been spotlighted for their unique hairstyles, as well as their strong performance in The Home of Martial Arts.
From buzz cuts to mohawks, here are the five best hairstyles spotted in the ONE Circle:
1. Dovydas Rimkus
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A post shared by Dovydas Rimkus (@rimkenzo)
Topping our list is Lithuanian fighter Dovydas "Rimkenzo" Rimkus, who debuted at the ONE Super Series featherweight kickboxing in November. It seems that what James Brown said at the time, “Hair is the first thing,” is true, because Rimkenzo became immediately known for his unique hairstyle.
Whoever saw the fighter enter the Circle for the first time probably felt that he just walked out of a Middle Age monastery, but his calm demeanor is nothing but a front for his extraordinary kickboxing skills.
2. Garry Tonon
United States MMA fighter Garry Tonon. (ONE Championship/.)
Second on our list is the United States’ Garry "The Lion Killer" Tonon, who also ranks as the No. 2 featherweight contender. He once sported a slick hairstyle and stole the show, even before the fight had started.
Among the various hairstyles he has sported throughout his journey in The Home of Martial Arts is his Wolverine cut, which probably suits him best. Maybe one day we’ll see him starring in a blockbuster movie, hopefully of the same name as his do.
3. Lito Adiwang
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If you loved the thousands of youths rocking a mullet in the late 1980s, then you’ll be glad to know that the hairdo is having somewhat of a revival this year, with over 15.5 million internet searches.
Famously known in the US, the mullet has also become the trademark do for a young Team Lakay fighter named Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang. His hair even sparked a heated debate ahead of his fight against US-based star Jarred Brooks. Though "Thunder Kid" lost the fight, luckily he was able to keep his locks.
Two other ONE athletes, Adiwang’s teammate Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon and his former foe Hexigetu, have also rocked this style.
4. Paul Lumihi
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One of Indonesia’s own, Paul "The Great King" Lumihi has also successfully made it on this list. In several of his bouts in The Home of Martial Arts, The Great King had sported the slicked-back top and gradated shaved sides of an undercut.
Less hair means less maintenance for easier prepping – something many fighters need. Plus, Paul’s hair stays in style even at the end of a fight. How’d he do that?
5. Wang Junguang
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Last but never the least is Chinese superstar kickboxer Wang “Golden Boy” Junguang has a mohawk, and bleached blonde, no less.
The mohawk became very popular during the punk-rock era of the 1990s and the word mohawk actually means “man-eater”. This doesn’t necessarily mean those wearing the style practice cannibalism, it just means they’re fierce warriors – like Wang when he’s in the Circle. The "Golden Boy" is well known as a very aggressive and dangerous striker.
Let’s just say his unique hairstyle matches his equally unique fighting style and almost screams “don’t mess with me”.
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This article is published in collaboration with ONE Championship