Tag: ONE Fighting Championship

Press Release – 18 April 2013 – Manila: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), presented by Casino Filipino and in association with Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), announced today three additional bouts for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER. Kevin Belingon will battle Masakatsu Ueda in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. The winner will get a shot at the ONE FC Bantamweight Title. Plus, Eduard Folayang is back in action against Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) veteran Kamal Shalorus and fan favorite Phil Baroni will return to the famed ONE FC cage to take on the KO artist from Japan, Nobutatsu Suzuki. All the action takes place live on 31 May from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

KEVIN BELINGON VS MASAKATSU UEDA

EDUARD FOLAYANG VS KAMAL SHALORUS

PHIL BARONI VS NOBUTATSU SUZUKI

ONE FC: Rise to Power will be broadcast live on Fight Network in Canada, Portugal, Turkey, Angola and Mozambique.

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will launch in Casino Filipino branches across the Philippines starting on 22 April 2013.

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv.

The first two undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge and the main card fights will be available for purchase at just US$9.99.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will feature some of the biggest names in Asian MMA as we return to the fight capital of Asia. I’m beyond excited to see Honorio Banario back in action in front of his home crowd at the state-of-the art Mall of Asia Arena. Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki has all the ingredients for a possible Fight of the Night with one of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters squaring off against a Japanese submission artist who is known for his impressive grappling game. I know fans cannot wait to watch these warriors collide on 31 May.”

The Bantamweight Grand Prix Final is also set and both fighters are ready to showcase their skills in Manila to earn a shot at the biggest Bantamweight title belt in Asia.

Bantamweight GP Finalist Kevin Belingon is a Filipino MMA champion and one of the best MMA fighters ever to emerge from the Philippines. It took him a few fights to become accustomed to competing inside the ONE FC cage but once he found his rhythm, the result was spectacular as he blasted through Yusup Saadulaev and Thanh Vu in less than a round to earn a slot in the Bantamweight Grand Prix Final. Known as “The Silencer” because he prefers to let his fists and feet do the talking, Belingon is a Wushu specialist with fast hands and devastating low kicks. He says that he is in the best shape of his life and nothing can stop him from earning a shot at the coveted ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship Title. His opponent is a veteran who is not at all concerned about fighting on Belingon’s home soil on 31 May.

Masakatsu Ueda is a Bellator veteran and former Shooto Featherweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully three times. He has an outstanding 17-2-2 record which makes him one of the best Bantamweights in the world. He was a very successful college wrestler who won numerous national wrestling competitions in Japan as well as the all Japan Shooto Grappling Championship. A very well-rounded fighter, he submitted MMA legend Jens Pulver at ONE FC: KINGS & CHAMPIONS to earn a slot in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. Ueda understands the magnitude of this fight and knows very well that Belingon will be the toughest test of his career.

A Lightweight bout that is sure to get the crowd on their feet will pit Filipino MMA legend Eduard Folayang against UFC veteran Kamal Shalorus.

Folayang is a legend in the Philippines where he is universally regarded as MMA’s equivalent to boxing phenomenon Manny Pacquiao. A former school teacher, he is renowned for being humble and respectful outside the cage but a determined and relentless competitor inside. The Baguio-born mixed martial artist is never in a boring fight and the sight of Folayang struggling in a tough battle, but somehow finding a way to win in the end, is one which fight fans have become accustomed to. Folayang will square off against the resilient submission specialist from Iran, Kamal Shalorus.

Shalorus was born in the city of Khalkhal in Iran. He began wrestling as a teenager before moving to the United States to train in MMA. He is a UFC and WEC veteran with notable wins over Justin Milles and Bart Palaszewski. Shalorus will need to bring it all when he steps into the ONE FC cage for the first time at ONE FC: RISE TO POWER.

Manila’s favorite slugger Phil Baroni will be back in action on 31 May when he battles up and coming Japanese mixed martial artist Nobutatsu Suzuki. Baroni has faced some of the toughest opponents in the world and is renowned for his one-punch knockout power. Despite being one of the hardest punchers to ever compete in MMA, it’s not just Baroni’s hard-hitting fists that the fans come to see. His brash and charismatic personality and inimitable swagger down the fighter’s entrance makes him one of the biggest showmen in MMA. Suzuki is the complete opposite in personality but identical in fighting style. Eight of his fights have been won via impressive KO. On 31 May, he will look to make Baroni number nine.

ONE FC: RISE TO POWER is headlined by a ONE FC Featherweight World Championship bout between reigning champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario against number one contender Koji Oishi and pound-for-pound king Bibiano Fernandes taking on Koetsu Okazaki for the ONE FC Bantamweight Interim Title. All the action takes place live from the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Twitter @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 70+ countries in Asia.

Press Release – 10 April 2013 – Manila: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), in association with Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), returns to the fight capital of Asia on Friday, 31 May, with the highly anticipated first title defense of hometown hero ONE FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario. Banario will put it all on the line when he takes on Japanese submission specialist Koji Oishi. Plus, pound-for-pound king Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes returns to the famed ONE FC cage when he squares off against Japanese MMA sensation Koetsu Okazaki for the ONE FC Bantamweight Interim Title. All the action will take place at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in what is expected to be the greatest fight card ever compiled in ONE FC history. After selling out arenas throughout Asia it is finally time for ONE FC to return to the Philippines.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC will be back in the fight capital of Asia on 31 May with a stacked fight card that is sure to get the adrenaline pumping for the passionate Filipino fight fans. This event could possibly be the largest in ONE FC’s history and features the top names in MMA, headlined by ONE FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario. Of course, having one of the greatest fighters on earth fighting on this card in Manila is sure to be a special night for MMA. Bibiano Fernandes always brings his best when he steps into the cage. Close to 20,000 fans will pack out the SM Mall of Asia Arena to witness the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.”

Tickets for ONE FC: RISE TO POWER will launch in Casino Filipino branches across the Philippines starting on 19 April 2013.

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv. The first two undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge and the main card fights will be available for purchase at just US$9.99.

ONE FC Featherweight Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario is one of the top Mixed Martial Artists in the world today. He is a member of the legendary Team Lakay where he trains alongside fellow ONE FC fighters Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon under head coach Mark Sangiao. Banario comes from a Wushu background, an ancient Chinese martial art whose practitioners are recognizable by a diverse range of striking techniques. Despite his striking credentials, five of Banario’s eight wins were by submission, proving how versatile he really is. Banario captured the ONE FC crown when he defied all odds by defeating his fellow countryman Eric Kelly at ONE FC: RETURN OF WARRIORS via TKO. Banario will be looking to hold onto his title when he battles the ever so tough submission specialist from Japan, Koji Oishi.

Koji Oishi is a 35 year-old Japanese mixed martial arts veteran and former Lightweight King of Pancrase. He comes from a wrestling and karate background and is renowned for leaving everything on the line in brawls against some of the best in the business, including Chris Lytle, Carlos Condit and both of the Diaz brothers.

ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion Soo Chul Kim is currently undergoing shoulder surgery and will be out of action for an indefinite period of time. Therefore, ONE FC officials have decided that an interim ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship title will be introduced until Kim is ready to make a comeback.

Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is undeniably one of the best fighters in the world today. His never-ending gas tank, explosive take-downs and lighting fast strikes have garnered him a huge fan base amongst Asian and international fans alike. Fernandes made his ONE FC debut in August 2012 at ONE FC: PRIDE OF A NATION where he defeated journeyman Gustavo Falciroli via unanimous decision. A veteran who has fought countless Japanese fighters, Fernandes will have his toughest test yet when he battles Japanese sensation Koetsu Okazaki.

Okazaki is the latest top Japanese fighter to sign for ONE FC and is one of the most experienced fighters in the entire bantamweight division. He is a tenacious competitor known to never back down from any opponent. Okazaki specializes in submissions but he is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone if that is what it takes to get the win. Okazaki knows that a win over Fernandes will get him the global recognition that he deserves and the ONE FC Bantamweight Interim Title wrapped around his waist.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Twitter @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 70+ countries in Asia.

Press Release – 5 April 2013 – Singapore: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization, wowed the sold-out crowd in attendance at Singapore Indoor Stadium with ONE FC: KINGS & CHAMPIONS. Fans were treated to a night of unforgettable action as ONE FC’s best battled inside the famed ONE FC cage.

ONE FC: Kings & Champions was broadcast live on Fight Network in Canada, Portugal, Turkey, Angola and Mozambique.

The ONE FC lightweight division crowned a new champion when Shinya Aoki submitted Kotetsu Boku in the second round of their championship bout. Aoki displayed superior grappling that knockout specialist Boku simply had no answer to. The finish came in round two when Shinya Aoki sunk in a rear naked choke that resulted in Boku tapping out and conceding his lightweight championship title.

In the co-main event of the evening, Brock Larson had to survive adversity to emerge victorious by unanimous decision. Melvin Manhoef nearly finished the fight in the first round with his signature kicks that clearly rocked Larson. Larson came back strong in the second round and ended the round with a tight armbar. Larson came on strong in the third round and neutralized Manhoef’s striking with superior grappling and relentless ground and pound. The judges unanimously awarded Larson the decision victory.

The packed Singapore Indoor Stadium also witnessed history as Kevin Belingon and Masakatsu Ueda earned wins in the prestigious ONE FC Bantamweight Grand Prix semi-finals and will face each other in the final. The winner of that bout will be guaranteed a future title shot. Belingon dispatched of his opponent Thanh Vu with a relentless barrage of punches and kicks that led the referee to step in and stop the fight in round two. Ueda also won in round two against Jens Pulver after he sank in a choke and the referee had no choice but to step in and stop the fight.

Official results for ONE FC: KINGS & CHAMPIONS:

Shinya Aoki defeats Kotetsu Boku by submission via rear naked choke at 4:04 minutes of round 2
Brock Larson defeats Melvin Manhoef by unanimous decision at 5:00 minutes of round 3
Masakatsu Ueda defeats Jens Pulver by d’arce submission at 3:52 minutes of round 2
Kevin Belingon defeats Thanh Vu by referee stoppage due to strikes at 1:00 minutes of round 2
Eddie Ng defeats Arnaud Lepont by armbar submission at 4:45 minutes of round 2
Leandro Issa defeats Yusup Saadulaev by decision at 5:00 minutes of round 3
Alex Silva defeats Rene Catalan by armbar submission at 4:34 minutes of round 1
Bashir Ahmad defeats Shannon Wiratchai by decision at 5:00 minutes of round 3
Jake Butler defeats Swain Cangco by submission at 2:52 minutes of round 1
Chen Yun Ting defeats Ronald Low by referee stoppage due to strikes at 3:58 minutes of round 1

In case you missed the action, log on to ONEFC.LIVESPORT.TV for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Twitter @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

About ONE Fighting Championship™
Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 28 countries in Asia.