ONE: ‘Dynasty of Heroes’ preview (part one)

ONE: “Dynasty of Heroes” is set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday night (local time) and features two title fights. Headlining the card will be local hero Angela Lee who defends her atomweight strap while welterweight champion Ben Askren is also in action.

As well as arguably ONE Championship’s two biggest stars, the card also features several former champions and title challengers. A small piece of promotional history will be made when Shinya Aoki faces Gary Tonon in a grappling match, the first time the organization has put on a submission-only bout.

Here is my preview of the first five fights on the card. As always with ONE fights are listed as walking weight, for the sake of clarity this means that if a fighter competes at 135 pounds with ONE (without cutting weight) they would compete at 125 pounds if they were with another org (and allowed to cut weight).

152.1 lbs.: Chen Lei vs. Jeremy Meciaz

Both men come into this bout with strong grappling credentials. Chen Lei (1-0) won the Shanghai Open while Meciaz, who makes his pro debut, won a tournament in Indonesia. The Chinese fighter has at least one MMA win to his name but both men come from countries where results are often not recorded and are probably more experienced than their records suggest.

125 lbs.: Rebecca Heintzman-Rozewski vs Tiffany Teo

Rebecca Heintzman-Rozewski (2-2) had the misfortune to be matched with an up-and-coming teenager called Angela Lee on her ONE Championship debut last year. She hasn’t fought since but the American has previously gone the distance with top ranked UFC contender Katlyn Chookagian and also holds a title from her amateur career.

It means Heintzman-Rozewski will be the first serious test for Tiffany Teo (5-0) who has yet to really received a tough matchup. The Singaporean is 5-0, has a background in boxing and brings a lot of momentum into this bout but will need to seriously step up her game against an opponent who has been in with world class opposition.

115 lbs.: Rika Ishige vs Nita Dea

Rika Ishige (1-0) showed in her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut that she is more than just a pretty face. She holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and trains very seriously alongside her boyfriend, ONE Championship lightweight contender Shannon Wiratchai. She’s definitely more comfortable on the ground but has been working hard on her striking.

Nita Dea is making her debut and is a replacement for Ishige’s original opponent. She was beaten by Audrelaura Bonfiace in a custom rules (limited grappling) bout in Malaysia, Bonfice was the fighter who Ishige beat on her pro debut earlier this year which possibly doesn’t bode well for the Indonesian newcomer.

170 lbs.: Amir Khan vs Rajinder Singh Meena

Amir Khan (6-2) has won three straight fights and showed a lot of heart and determination to escape from a submission attempt in his last bout. He’s yet to be tested against the top dogs in the division but has good Muay Thai and a strong ground game, he’s not afraid to shoot for takedowns.

Rajinder Singh Meena (8-5) brings both experience and silverware into this bout, he’s a former SFL lightweight champion. But the Indian, who comes from a Wushu background, looks like a complete novice on the ground which might explain why he’s lost his last four fights. It’s a hole in his game Khan is capable of exploiting.

135 lbs.: Anatpong Bunrad vs Geje Eustaquio

After a spell at bantamweight Geje Eustaquio (8-5) drops down to flyweight again for this bout. It’s a rematch of their 2015 fight which the Thai fighter was slightly fortunate to win by split decision in Manila and Anatpong Bunrad (5-2) will be out for revenge.

Bunrad has a background in several striking styles but looks like a Muay Thai fighter. He’s a purple belt in BJJ but has been out for over a year with a knee injury. Eustaquio brings the Wushu based stand up we have come to expect from Team Lakay fighters and this looks set to be another close and competitive contest.

The ONE: “Dynasty of Heroes” card can be purchased for $9.99 USD from here.

www.twitter.com/jamesgoyder

ONE: “Dynasty of Heroes” is set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday night (local time) and features two title fights. Headlining the card will be local hero Angela Lee who defends her atomweight strap while welterweight champion Ben Askren is also in action.

As well as arguably ONE Championship’s two biggest stars, the card also features several former champions and title challengers. A small piece of promotional history will be made when Shinya Aoki faces Gary Tonon in a grappling match, the first time the organization has put on a submission-only bout.

Here is my preview of the first five fights on the card. As always with ONE fights are listed as walking weight, for the sake of clarity this means that if a fighter competes at 135 pounds with ONE (without cutting weight) they would compete at 125 pounds if they were with another org (and allowed to cut weight).

152.1 lbs.: Chen Lei vs. Jeremy Meciaz

Both men come into this bout with strong grappling credentials. Chen Lei (1-0) won the Shanghai Open while Meciaz, who makes his pro debut, won a tournament in Indonesia. The Chinese fighter has at least one MMA win to his name but both men come from countries where results are often not recorded and are probably more experienced than their records suggest.

125 lbs.: Rebecca Heintzman-Rozewski vs Tiffany Teo

Rebecca Heintzman-Rozewski (2-2) had the misfortune to be matched with an up-and-coming teenager called Angela Lee on her ONE Championship debut last year. She hasn’t fought since but the American has previously gone the distance with top ranked UFC contender Katlyn Chookagian and also holds a title from her amateur career.

It means Heintzman-Rozewski will be the first serious test for Tiffany Teo (5-0) who has yet to really received a tough matchup. The Singaporean is 5-0, has a background in boxing and brings a lot of momentum into this bout but will need to seriously step up her game against an opponent who has been in with world class opposition.

115 lbs.: Rika Ishige vs Nita Dea

Rika Ishige (1-0) showed in her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut that she is more than just a pretty face. She holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and trains very seriously alongside her boyfriend, ONE Championship lightweight contender Shannon Wiratchai. She’s definitely more comfortable on the ground but has been working hard on her striking.

Nita Dea is making her debut and is a replacement for Ishige’s original opponent. She was beaten by Audrelaura Bonfiace in a custom rules (limited grappling) bout in Malaysia, Bonfice was the fighter who Ishige beat on her pro debut earlier this year which possibly doesn’t bode well for the Indonesian newcomer.

170 lbs.: Amir Khan vs Rajinder Singh Meena

Amir Khan (6-2) has won three straight fights and showed a lot of heart and determination to escape from a submission attempt in his last bout. He’s yet to be tested against the top dogs in the division but has good Muay Thai and a strong ground game, he’s not afraid to shoot for takedowns.

Rajinder Singh Meena (8-5) brings both experience and silverware into this bout, he’s a former SFL lightweight champion. But the Indian, who comes from a Wushu background, looks like a complete novice on the ground which might explain why he’s lost his last four fights. It’s a hole in his game Khan is capable of exploiting.

135 lbs.: Anatpong Bunrad vs Geje Eustaquio

After a spell at bantamweight Geje Eustaquio (8-5) drops down to flyweight again for this bout. It’s a rematch of their 2015 fight which the Thai fighter was slightly fortunate to win by split decision in Manila and Anatpong Bunrad (5-2) will be out for revenge.

Bunrad has a background in several striking styles but looks like a Muay Thai fighter. He’s a purple belt in BJJ but has been out for over a year with a knee injury. Eustaquio brings the Wushu based stand up we have come to expect from Team Lakay fighters and this looks set to be another close and competitive contest.

The ONE: “Dynasty of Heroes” card can be purchased for $9.99 USD from here.

www.twitter.com/jamesgoyder