Roger Gracie returns to light heavyweight, meets James McSweeney at One FC 23

One FC has added four new match-ups to the upcoming card in Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 5, including the promotional debut of UFC and Strikeforce veteran Roger Gracie.

Roger Gracie (6-2), who hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Tim Kennedy in his UFC debut in July 2013, returns to the light heavyweight division against fellow UFC veteran James McSweeney (14-11). “The Hammer” is 2-0 under the One FC banner with first-round stoppages over Chris Lokteff and Cristiano Kaminishi.

Former One FC featherweight champion, Honorio Banario will also make his return to the cage on Dec. 5 in opposite to Brazilian prospect Herbert Burns. Entering the bout in a three-fight losing skid, Banario (8-4) looks to handle Burns (4-0) the first loss of his professional career.

Banario’s teammate Kevin Belingon (12-4) is also set to compete at the One FC 23 show. The bantamweight fighter, who is 3-4 inside the One FC cage, collides with former Shooto 135-pound champion Koetsu Okazaki (10-3-1).

“One Fighting Championship is set to end the year with a blast by making One FC: Warrior’s Way the biggest and most exciting MMA event of 2014,” One FC CEO Victor Cui stated in a release. “We have added some truly massive fights on the already astounding fight card. Team Lakay warriors Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario seek redemption inside the One FC cage while Filipino-American Brandon Vera makes his debut. Fans can definitely expect an unforgettable night of world class and adrenaline-pumping mixed martial arts action.”

The fourth bout recently added to the card is a light heavyweight rematch between Sylvain Potard and Jake Butler, who first fought in Oct. 2013. Potard (7-4), who finished Butler (4-1) in their first fight, looks to get back to the win column in his return to the One FC cage.

One FC 23 takes place at the Manila’s Mall of Asia arena and is headlined by a bantamweight championship bout featuring 135-pound kingpin Bibiano Fernandes and undefeated prospect Dae Hwan Kim. A heavyweight clash between Brandon Vera and Igor Subora is also set for show.

One FC has added four new match-ups to the upcoming card in Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 5, including the promotional debut of UFC and Strikeforce veteran Roger Gracie.

Roger Gracie (6-2), who hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Tim Kennedy in his UFC debut in July 2013, returns to the light heavyweight division against fellow UFC veteran James McSweeney (14-11). “The Hammer” is 2-0 under the One FC banner with first-round stoppages over Chris Lokteff and Cristiano Kaminishi.

Former One FC featherweight champion, Honorio Banario will also make his return to the cage on Dec. 5 in opposite to Brazilian prospect Herbert Burns. Entering the bout in a three-fight losing skid, Banario (8-4) looks to handle Burns (4-0) the first loss of his professional career.

Banario’s teammate Kevin Belingon (12-4) is also set to compete at the One FC 23 show. The bantamweight fighter, who is 3-4 inside the One FC cage, collides with former Shooto 135-pound champion Koetsu Okazaki (10-3-1).

“One Fighting Championship is set to end the year with a blast by making One FC: Warrior’s Way the biggest and most exciting MMA event of 2014,” One FC CEO Victor Cui stated in a release. “We have added some truly massive fights on the already astounding fight card. Team Lakay warriors Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario seek redemption inside the One FC cage while Filipino-American Brandon Vera makes his debut. Fans can definitely expect an unforgettable night of world class and adrenaline-pumping mixed martial arts action.”

The fourth bout recently added to the card is a light heavyweight rematch between Sylvain Potard and Jake Butler, who first fought in Oct. 2013. Potard (7-4), who finished Butler (4-1) in their first fight, looks to get back to the win column in his return to the One FC cage.

One FC 23 takes place at the Manila’s Mall of Asia arena and is headlined by a bantamweight championship bout featuring 135-pound kingpin Bibiano Fernandes and undefeated prospect Dae Hwan Kim. A heavyweight clash between Brandon Vera and Igor Subora is also set for show.