ONE: “Eternal Glory” is the first of 24 cards the promotion has scheduled for 2019. It will also be the first show since the broadcast deal with Turner Sports in the US was signed, meaning the event will be streamed by B/R Live with re-airs on TNT.
The action gets underway this Sat. (Jan. 19, 2019) inside Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In the headliner, Joshua Pacio defends his strawweight title for the first time against Yosuke Saruta. The Japanese fighter is a replacement for the injured Hayato Suzuki and is coming off a decision win over former champion Alex Silva.
155 lbs.: Oscar Yaqut vs. Andreas Satyawan (Featherweight)
These two Indonesians are both making their pro debut.
125 lbs.: Riski Umar vs. Aziz Calim (Strawweight)
The Indonesians have put on some fun fights recently and the first fight between Riski Umar (3-2) and Eka Aprilianto was a barn burner. The Bali MMA prospect was submitted in a rematch but loves to swing for the fences which is what makes him so entertaining.
During his One Pride MMA days Aziz Calim (4-3) was a bit of a brawler although he looked a bit more disciplined on his ONE Championship debut. He’s primarily a grappler but is not afraid to attack with high kicks.
155 lbs.: Yohan Mulia Legowo vs. AJ Lias Mansor
Yohan Mulia Legowo (8-7) was a star with the now defunct TPI promotion and also had a stint for Legend FC. He’s an Asian MMA veteran and a solid grappler but his recent record is mediocre to put it mildly.
AJ Lias Mansor (3-4) recently underwent brain surgery but has made a complete recovery and wants to fight. Like Legowo, he is more comfortable on the ground and knows how to wrestle his way to a decision win.
150 lbs.: Sunoto vs. Niu Kang Kang
This will be a 13th ONE Championship fight for Sunoto (10-4). He tends to win his fights with grappling and will be looking to get this fight to the ground at the earliest available opportunity.
The main form of attack for Niu Kang Kang (4-1) is through kicks. He likes to constantly slam his shin into opponents thighs but will have to be very careful employing this strategy against an opponent looking to catch a leg and get the fight down.
170 lbs.: Rasul Yakhyaev vs. Koji Ando
This lightweight match pits together two fighters in need of a win. Rasul Yakhyaev (11-7) has lost three out of his last four although he underlined his abilities by comprehensively outwrestling Shannon Wiratchai in 2017.
Koji Ando (12-7-2) has a background in Judo and is a patient southpaw with a laser like left hand. He’s lost four out of his last five but has been going up against some of ONE Championship’s top lightweights and always goes the distance.
155 lbs.: Ahmad Qais Jasoor vs. Masakazu Imanari
Ahmad Qais Jasoor (5-1-1) has made a solid start to his ONE Championship career, with one win and one loss. However it’s difficult to see how the Afghan will avoid getting submitted here.
The gulf in experience between him and Masakazu Imanari (37-18-2) is vast. It’s one thing knowing what the Japanese leg lock specialist is going to try and do, but being able to stop him from doing that is another thing altogether.
205 lbs.: Florent Kaouachi vs. Steve McKinnon (Kickboxing)
This ONE Super Series match sees Florent Kaouachi looking for his second straight win for the promotion. Last time he left it late to finish Sergej Maslobojev with a glancing punch doing the damage, as is often the case with the MMA gloves.
Steve McKinnon brings some impressive kickboxing and Muay Thai credentials into this fight and has been in with big names like Nathan Corbett and Paul Slowinski. He likes to throw kicks from mid range, and will follow up with punches when the opportunity opens.
155lbs.: Anthony Engelen vs. Won Il Kwon
Anthony Engelen (8-4) won two fights in quick succession last month and has been rewarded with another fast turnaround here. He will have the opportunity to make it three ONE Championship wins in the space of five weeks.
However he faces a fighter with an impeccable record in the shape of Won Il Kwon (5-0). The undefeated Korean made his debut in 2014 and has fought in Japan and the Philippines, he’s coming off a decision win against a very experienced Japanese opponent.
The entire ONE: “Eternal Glory” card will be available to view live and free in some territories using the newly launched app which you can download here. In the US it will be streamed on B/R Live.