Newly-crowned ONE Championship lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has always marched to the beat of his own drum. So it was no surprise that following his first-round submission victory over Eduard Folayang at ONE: A New Era, the 35-year-old immediately began planning his first title defense. What was surprising, however, was of all the names he […]
Newly-crowned ONE Championship lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has always marched to the beat of his own drum.
So it was no surprise that following his first-round submission victory over Eduard Folayang at ONE: A New Era, the 35-year-old immediately began planning his first title defense. What was surprising, however, was of all the names he could have called out from the ONE roster, the Japanese veteran chose featherweight title challenger Christian Lee.
Lee was as taken aback as the rest of MMA world when he got word of the callout.
“I had no idea that Aoki wanted to face me,” Lee recently told LowKickMMA.com.
“Shinya and I are good friends, and I had just congratulated him the day before I found out the news of him wanting to fight me. However, there is no bad blood between us, and I am honored to fight for his belt.”
The pair will clash on May 17, 2019, at ONE: Enter The Dragon from Singapore. Lee is unfazed about competing as a lightweight. He is also not concerned about the tight timeframe in which to put together his training camp
“It will not be a problem for me moving up a weight class as I typically walk around at 170 pounds. I train hard year-round, so I know that I will be ready come May 17.
The 20-year-old five-time Pankration world champion presents a type of threat that Aoki has not faced during his championship run. Aoki has built his recent success around his ability to control the action on the ground. However, Lee is a fighter who feels at home off his feet as he does on them.
“I know that Aoki is a dangerous opponent, but I trust in my skills, and I know that I can win this fight striking on the feet or grappling him on the ground.”
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently hinted that the Singapore-based promotion could hold an event in the United States in the future.
If this does happen, then one location which could be an option to host the promotion’s debut is Hawaii. The Aloha State is home to not only Christian and Angela Lee, but also Bruno Pucci and undefeated lightweight Lowen Tynanes. The idea of ONE taking their show to the 50th state is one that meets with Lee’s approval.
“I would love for ONE Championship to make their USA debut in Hawaii. The fight fans in Hawaii are extremely passionate about martial arts, and I know it would be a sellout show.
For now, though, all of Lee’s focus is centered around one goal; stopping Shinya Aoki.
The first ONE Championship event of the year, ONE: Eternal Glory, went down today. Japan’s Yosuke Saruta pulling off a stunning upset in the night’s main event. The 31-year-old captured the ONE strawweight world championship from defending champion Joshua Pacio via a closely-fought split decision victory. The five-round championship bout was the main event of […]
The first ONE Championship event of the year, ONE: Eternal Glory, went down today. Japan’s Yosuke Saruta pulling off a stunning upset in the night’s main event.
The 31-year-old captured the ONE strawweight world championship from defending champion Joshua Pacio via a closely-fought split decision victory. The five-round championship bout was the main event of the 14 fight card held in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the Istora Senayan.
Pacio was initially scheduled to face off against another Japanese veteran Hayato Suzuki, but after Suzuki pulled out injured Saruta was drafted in as a late notice replacement. Saruta, who only made his ONE debut in December, was the more aggressive fighter throughout the contest. The former Shooto Strawweight World Champion’s unorthodox stance and constant forward pressure appeared to unsettle Pacio.
The 23-year-old appeared unable to establish any attacking rhythm apart from one brief explosive moment at the tail end of the third round.
Forcing The Action
The bout was somewhat of a stop-start affair with neither fighter able to fully impose their will on the other. Saruta had success taking down Pacio over the course of the bout, but once there was unable to keep his opponent on the ground for any length of time or cause any significant damage. It was the Japanese fighter’s aggressiveness that would gave him the edge in the eyes of the judges. Both men had success on their feet, but it was Saruta who forced the action.
Going into the final frame, the result hung on a knife’s edge. ONE Championship bouts are judged on their entirety as opposed to a round by round basis and if Pacio had pushed the pace and come out guns blazing he may have left the cage with the belt still strapped around his waist.
However, it was Saruta, perhaps sensing that this was going to be his night, who seized control of the final moments. A takedown in the final seconds, followed by a final wild flurry of blows cemented Saruta’s victory.
Now the question is, can he hold on to the belt? None of the last three strawweight champions have been able to mount a successful title defense, so it will be interesting to see if Saruta can break this pattern.
Christian Lee Dismantles Edward Kelly, Calls For Title Shot
It was a short day at the office for Singapore’s Christian Lee, who needed less than three minutes to defeat Edward Kelly in a rematch of their 2018 bout.
The 20-year-old dominated the contest from the outset in much the same way he did when the pair previously fought. The two last met in September at ONE: Beyond The Horizon. Lee was in full control of the fight and looked to be on the verge of victory before being disqualified after performing an illegal suplex.
Tonight, the six-time Pankration world champion’s grappling was just too slick for Kelly to handle. Lee took the fight in the ground in the opening minute, and from then on the result looked inevitable.
Kelly attempted to get to his feet, but Lee gave him no opening. The referee stopped the fight once Lee’s ground and pound overwhelmed the Filipino. In his post-fight interview, Lee called for a rematch with ONE featherweight world champ Martin Nguyen.
Lee is on a two-fight winning streak but has not fought any of the top contenders in the division since his split decision loss to Nguyen last May. Another crack at the title may be warranted, but it would make sense for Lee to first get a victory over one of the division’s top-tier fighters such as Narantungalag Jadambaa before he gets another championship shot.
An Atomweight Upset
Earlier in the night, India’s Puja Tomar stunned the home crowd when she recorded her first ONE Championship victory, defeating high-flying Priscilla Lumban Gaol via split decision.
Coming into this fight, Lumban Gaol appeared to be next in line for a shot at Angela Lee’s atomweight crown. The 30-year-old Indonesian had a breakthrough year in 2018, winning and competing in, more fights than any other athlete on the roster.
It was expected that her striking and overall ability would be too much for Tomar to handle. However, the Indian fighter was one who dominated the stand-up, especially in the first round, landing several heavy shots. Lumban Gaol had some success in the second and third on the ground, but not enough in the eyes of the judges.
ONE: Eternal Glory Full Results
Yosuke Saruta def. Joshua Pacio via split decision
Mongkolpetch Petchyindee Academy def. Alexi Serepisos via unanimous decision
Christian Lee def. Edward Kelly via first-round TKO
Puja Tomar def. Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol via split decision
Jonathan Haggerty def. Joseph Lasiri via unanimous decision
Robin Catalan def. Stefer Rahardian via unanimous decision
Bruno Pucci def. Kotetsu Boku via first-round submission
Prelims:
Kwon Won Il def. Anthony Engelen via first-round first-round TKO
Koji Ando def. Rasul Yakhyaev via split decision
Niu Kang Kang def. Sunoto via first-round KO
Aziz Calim def. Adi Paryanto via first-round submission
Oscar Yaqut def. Andreas Satyawan second-round TKO
After a brief hiatus over the holiday season, ONE Championship returns this weekend with the first event of 2019, ONE: Eternal Glory. The card will take place this Saturday, January 19, 2019, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event will be headlined by a strawweight title bout between reigning champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and recent arrival […]
After a brief hiatus over the holiday season, ONE Championship returns this weekend with the first event of 2019, ONE: Eternal Glory. The card will take place this Saturday, January 19, 2019, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The event will be headlined by a strawweight title bout between reigning champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and recent arrival Yosuke “Tobizaru” Saruta. The 14-bout card contains a number of intriguing match-ups whose outcomes could determine future title contenders in at least two divisions.
The event will also signal the start of ONE’s three-year partnership with Turner Sports, who will provide exclusive coverage for the United States market. The full event will air live on B/R Live. This year could be a breakthrough year for ONE as they look to expand into new markets.
Without further ado, let’s take an in-depth look at what ONE: Eternal Glory has in store for us.
Pacio’s First Strawweight Title Defense
This weekend, Team Lakay’s Joshua Pacio will attempt to do what neither of the previous two ONE strawweight champions could manage, and that is, mount a successful title defense.
At only 23 years of age, Pacio has the ability and maturity to remain a dominant force in the division for years to come. The only unanswered question is, how well he will cope with the added pressure that comes with being a defending champion?
Pacio captured the belt with an impressive unanimous decision win over Japanese submission expert Yoshitaka Naito last September at ONE: Conquest Of Heroes.
“The Passion” out-landed Natio over the course of the five-round bout and demonstrated impressive takedown defense which helped nullify Natio’s grappling. In Yosuke Saruta, Pacio will be sharing the cage with an athlete who feels he can win the fight either via his striking or his ground game.
The 31-year-old Japanese athlete only made his promotional debut last month at ONE: Destiny Of Champions, where he defeated former strawweight champion Alex Silva via unanimous decision.
Saruta, a former Shooto Strawweight World Champion, is a powerful grappler with a lethal right hand. He will come into this contest without the pressure or expectations that Pacio will carry on his young shoulders.
The Filipino has all the tools he needs to leave Indonesia with the belt still wrapped around his waist. However, against Saruta, he will be facing a livewire who is more than capable of pulling off a victory.
A Super Series Co-Main Event
The ONE Super Series was nothing less than a revelation for the promotion last year. Right out the gate, it became an instant hit with fans and fighters. Recent additions to the roster have only added to the ever-growing pool of striking talent that exists inside the company.
New Zealand’s Alexi “Phet” Serepisos and Thailand’s Mongkolpetch Petchyindee Academy are two of the company’s latest signees. This weekend the pair will clash in a Muay Thai flyweight bout. Mongkolpetch is a decorated Lumpinee Stadium world champion with 110 career wins under his belt. The 23-year-old is known for his strong clinching but has due to this bout taking place over three-rounds as opposed to five he has stated that he will focus more on his striking.
The contest will be fought in MMA gloves, which should make for an even more entertaining spectacle. Serepisos is regarded as one of the top practitioners of the art of the eight limbs in New Zealand and has won both national and international titles.
Fearless inside the ring, the 24-year-old is the only New Zealander to ever compete for a World Lethwei Championship. This match-up should serve as a perfect way for both fighters to showcase their talents to a broader audience. Fans should expect an intense, and action-packed affair.
Christian Lee Is Ready To Start The New Year Right
Singapore’s Christian Lee is the odds-on favorite to claim victory in his rematch with Team Lakay’s Edward Kelly this weekend.
The pair first met last September in China. Lee controlled the opening exchanges of the bout, but in the third minute performed an illegal suplex and was disqualified.
It was a frustrating moment for Lee, who appeared to be well on his way to victory. After a mixed 2018, the 20-year-old has targeted 2019 as the year he claims a ONE World Title. He’ll need to win impressively on Saturday night if he wants to begin building a case for another shot at Martin Nguyen’s featherweight crown.
Check out ONE: Eternal Glory’s full lineup here:
ONE: Eternal Glory Lineup
Main Card:
Joshua Pacio vs Yosuke Saruta
Alexi Serepisos vs Mongkolpetch Petchyindee Academy
