ONE: ‘Quest for Greatness’ preview (Pt. 1)

ONE: ‘Quest for Greatness’ is set for Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Aug. 18, 2017) and is headlined by one of the promotion’s major stars as Marat Gafurov defends his featherweight belt for the third time.

The event features Malaysian stars Ev Ting and Agilan Thani while the Subba brothers have both been handed tough assignments. Former strawweight champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is also in action on a strong card.

The first three fights should be streamed live on Facebook while the rest of the card is available on pay-per-view (PPV). As always with ONE Championship, the fighters compete at their normal walking weight.

Here is my preview of the first five fights:

125lbs.: Rene Catalan vs Bu Hou You Ga

Rene Catalan (2-2-0-1) comes into this bout on a two fight winning streak while Bu Hou You Ga has won his last three. That makes this a significant bout in a division that is still relatively new.

Catalan is a multiple time Wushu world champion who is very dangerous with throws and spinning strikes. There’s not much footage of Bu Hou You Ga (4-2) but he’s a wrestler and will be looking to put the Filipino on his back

155lbs.: Edward Kelly vs Emilio Uruttia

Emilio Uruttia (9-4) is an American but has spent his entire professional career competing in Asia. He’s experienced and well rounded but his strength definitely seems to be his ground game.

Edward Kelly (9-3) will be looking for a fourth straight stoppage win. He has gone from strength to strength, coincidentally while his brother’s career has stalled, but faces a tough test here.

155lbs.: Keanu Subba vs Christian Lee

This is a fight ONE Championship has been trying to make for well over a year now. Christian Lee (6-1) is still only 19 but is an aggressive fighter with solid striking and an excellent submission game.

Keanu Subba (5-2) has only faced one real contender in the featherweight division and he dropped a decision to Li Kai Wen. This is a big step up in competition for the Malaysian, who has good takedown defence and no obvious weaknesses.

125lbs.: Robin Catalan vs Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke

This will be the third time Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (7-2) has been matched with a Catalan and he will be expecting a third win over the family. Robin Catalan (6-2) is coming off an impressive decision victory over a previously undefeated prospect and will be looking for some vengeance.

Dejdamrong’s striking credentials are well documented and he also has an underrated ground game. This will be a good test for the Thai who still harbors title ambitions but he will be a strong favourite.

125lbs.: Ann Osman vs May Ooi

Ann Osman (5-3) should have too much for May Ooi (2-2), whose main claim to fame is being an Olympian swimmer. The Malaysian is primarily a grappler, so expect her to try and get the fight to the ground.

Ooi (2-2) has been the distance in her last two fights and will have benefited greatly from spending 30 minutes inside the cage. The Singaporean has been working hard on her grappling and might also feel her key to victory is to get the fight down, but Osman is strong in the clinch and can punish her on the way there.

ONE: “Quest for Greatness” can be purchased for $9.99 USD from here.

www.twitter.com/jamesgoyder

ONE: ‘Quest for Greatness’ is set for Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Aug. 18, 2017) and is headlined by one of the promotion’s major stars as Marat Gafurov defends his featherweight belt for the third time.

The event features Malaysian stars Ev Ting and Agilan Thani while the Subba brothers have both been handed tough assignments. Former strawweight champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is also in action on a strong card.

The first three fights should be streamed live on Facebook while the rest of the card is available on pay-per-view (PPV). As always with ONE Championship, the fighters compete at their normal walking weight.

Here is my preview of the first five fights:

125lbs.: Rene Catalan vs Bu Hou You Ga

Rene Catalan (2-2-0-1) comes into this bout on a two fight winning streak while Bu Hou You Ga has won his last three. That makes this a significant bout in a division that is still relatively new.

Catalan is a multiple time Wushu world champion who is very dangerous with throws and spinning strikes. There’s not much footage of Bu Hou You Ga (4-2) but he’s a wrestler and will be looking to put the Filipino on his back

155lbs.: Edward Kelly vs Emilio Uruttia

Emilio Uruttia (9-4) is an American but has spent his entire professional career competing in Asia. He’s experienced and well rounded but his strength definitely seems to be his ground game.

Edward Kelly (9-3) will be looking for a fourth straight stoppage win. He has gone from strength to strength, coincidentally while his brother’s career has stalled, but faces a tough test here.

155lbs.: Keanu Subba vs Christian Lee

This is a fight ONE Championship has been trying to make for well over a year now. Christian Lee (6-1) is still only 19 but is an aggressive fighter with solid striking and an excellent submission game.

Keanu Subba (5-2) has only faced one real contender in the featherweight division and he dropped a decision to Li Kai Wen. This is a big step up in competition for the Malaysian, who has good takedown defence and no obvious weaknesses.

125lbs.: Robin Catalan vs Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke

This will be the third time Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (7-2) has been matched with a Catalan and he will be expecting a third win over the family. Robin Catalan (6-2) is coming off an impressive decision victory over a previously undefeated prospect and will be looking for some vengeance.

Dejdamrong’s striking credentials are well documented and he also has an underrated ground game. This will be a good test for the Thai who still harbors title ambitions but he will be a strong favourite.

125lbs.: Ann Osman vs May Ooi

Ann Osman (5-3) should have too much for May Ooi (2-2), whose main claim to fame is being an Olympian swimmer. The Malaysian is primarily a grappler, so expect her to try and get the fight to the ground.

Ooi (2-2) has been the distance in her last two fights and will have benefited greatly from spending 30 minutes inside the cage. The Singaporean has been working hard on her grappling and might also feel her key to victory is to get the fight down, but Osman is strong in the clinch and can punish her on the way there.

ONE: “Quest for Greatness” can be purchased for $9.99 USD from here.

www.twitter.com/jamesgoyder