73 Seconds of Fury. A Round by Round Breakdown of Otis Waghorn’s Rado Popa TKO
The crowd at ONE Friday Fights 132 witnessed what looked like an effortless victory but the 73 second TKO over Rado Popa was the result of a meticulously planned and aggressive strategy. Nothing in the ring happens by accident especially not a lightning fast finish at the highest level of Muay Thai.
Here is the breakdown of how the 'British Phenom' secured the finish on November 7 2025
0-20 Seconds. Establishing the Perimeter
My priority was to disrupt Popa’s rhythm and test his defence immediately. I used feints and probing kicks to the leg and body. The key moment was a quick Teep to his mid section. It wasn't a power Teep, it was a diagnostic tool. This caused him to briefly drop his guard, confirming his reaction time to low line attacks was slow.
21-50 Seconds. The Set Up and Angle Creation
I knew I had to push the pace. I pressed forward mixing up my attacks between the head and body. I initiated a classic 1-2 (jab straight) which forced Popa to shell up. As he blocked, I subtly shifted my lead foot to the outside of his lead foot. This shift in angle was the fatal blow. It allowed me to throw a right cross that went around his guard, rocking him against the ropes.
51-73 Seconds. The Finish
Once Popa was on the ropes it was all over. I saw the hesitation and the visible impact of the initial shot. I poured on the pressure, attacking the head and body relentlessly with short, powerful punches and elbows. I maintained the tight angle, ensuring he could not escape or counter. The referee correctly stepped in at 1 minute and 13 seconds to save him from further punishment, securing the explosive first round TKO.
Takeaway The fight was won not by the final flurry but by the calculated pressure and strategic angle created in the seconds before.
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