ONE: “Conquest of Champions” is set for the MOA Arena in Manila this Friday night (local time) and features two title fights involving very popular Filipino fighters.
Fil-Am heavyweight Brandon Vera defends his heavyweight title against Mauro Cerilli in the main event while Eduard Folayang faces Amir Khan for the vacant lightweight strap in the co-main event.
Here’s my preview of the bottom half of the card:
135 lbs.: Rudy Agustian vs Asraful Islam
Rudy Agustian (5-2) is a One Pride MMA veteran who made a successful ONE Championship debut less than a month ago, winning by first round keylock. He has a wide stance and a low guard and likes to use his hands, both his losses have come by way of submission.
Asraful Islam (0-1) put up a decentish showing on his ONE Championship debut earlier this year, even if the Bagladeshi did lose by decision. He seems to have a wushu striking style and likes to circle out and throw sidekicks.
135 lbs.: Rockie Bactol vs Akihiro Fujisawa
This fight pits two Bangkok based flyweights together. The similarities don’t end there either, both went 2-0 fighting for Full Metal Dojo at the start of their careers before signing with ONE Championship.
Fujisawa (4-0) made his amateur MMA debut in 2008 and saw his ONE Championship debut come to a premature end when his opponent suffered a shoulder injury. Bactol (1-0) comes from a boxing background but won by submission on his pro debut earlier this year.
125 lbs.: Jeremy Miado vs Peng Xue Wen
Jeremy Miado (7-3) comes from a grappling background so it was a major surprise when he scored a one punch KO win over former Lumpinee champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke earlier this year.
His opponent Peng Xue Wen (3-4) is coming off a very impressive decision win over Stefer Rahardian, and riding a two fight winning streak. He’s a solid all rounder who can stay in the pocket and trade or take the fight to the floor,
145 lbs.: Azwan Che Wil vs Han Zi Hao (Muay Thai)
Han Zi Hao went the distance in his firs two ONE Super Series fights but didn’t leave anything in the hands of the judges last time out, knocking out Ryan Jakiri with a perfectly timed overhand right.
Interestingly Azwan has been in with Ryan Jakiri recently and lost by decision. That probably gives you a pretty good indication of how this fight will go, although the Malaysian keeps his hands high and has the traditional Thai style.
265 lbs.: Alexandre Machado vs Hideki Sekine
Hideki Sekine (7-2) is a decorated grappler but his striking is limited. Alexandre Machado (8-3) holds a BJJ black belt and will not want to be beaten by a 45 year old who was knocked out just 11 seconds into his last ONE fight.
In fact Sekine has been competing regularly for Japanese promotion Ganryujima, which has rules broadly similar to MMA. Machado is taller but the Japanese fighter is bigger, both are coming off knockout losses and anything could happen here.
161 lbs.: Samy Sana vs Armen Petrosyan (Kickboxing)
Samy Sana was somewhat unlucky to drop a decision to Sorgraw Petyindeeacademy despite knocking the Thai fighter down in the third round. He is tall and likes to use his hands, which will definitely play into his favour if they are fighting with MMA gloves.
Armen Petrosyan is not as good as his brother, but that’s only because his brother happens to be the best kickboxer in the world. He dropped a split decision to Chris Ngimbi on his ONE Championship debut.
The entire ONE: “Conquest of Champions” card will be available to view live and free using the newly launched app which you can download here. The first six fights will also be live on twitter and facebook.