SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – ONE FC is back in town.
ONE Fighting Championship, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization, returns to the Philippines on May 2 with a showdown between reigning ONE FC bantamweight world champion Bibiano Fernandes against Japanese challenger Masakatsu Ueda in the main event of a fight card dubbed “ONE FC 15: Rise of Heroes” slated at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Local flyweight Eugene Toquero will also star be in action against Malaysian Gianni Subba, while top Asian featherweights Rob Lisita and Yusuke Kawanago battle each other in what is expected to be a slugfest.
ONE FC CEO Victor Cui says that he expects ONE FC 15: Rise of Heroes to be their most exciting fight card to date.
“Expect it to be a night of explosive knockouts and exciting finishes as we return to the Philippines with probably the most exciting fight card ever,” said Cui.
“The 10 bouts will feature the biggest stars in the Philippines and from around the world that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.”
The 33-year-old Brazilian Bibiano Fernandes (15-3), who holds a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, will stake his bantamweight crown in the toughest test of his career yet against Japanese sensation Masakatsu Ueda (18-2-2).
Ueda, 36, is a former Shooto champion and a college wrestler, and also particpated in grappling tournaments which makes him one of the strongest contenders for Fernandes’ belt.
In the co-featured bout, rising Australian slugger Rob ‘Ruthless’ Lisita (13-5) will go all out against a more Yusuke Kawanago (13-3-2) – the very person who added stain to his record with a Unanimous Decision win in 2012.
Lisita wants revenge but his tormentor Kawanago, a technical grappler, wants a repeat when they face each other in the featherweight division.
Pinoy Power
Filipino Eugene Toquero meanwhile wants to improve his 4-1 record against 21-year-old Malaysian Gianni Subba, who will compete in the Philippines for the first time.
The undefeated Subba (3-0) is one of the brightest prospects, announcing his MMA debut with a devastating KO win over Bruce Loh in front a Singaporean crowd. He seeks to do the same when he faces Toquero, a Muay Thai fighter who has won all his fights via knockout.
Toquero is expected to draw support from the local crowd when he undergoes testy waters against Subba. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.