Parry pulls out of ONE FC title fight vs Vera; Cheng to replace

MANILA, Philippines – Chi Lewis Parry surprisingly withdrew from his heavyweight championship clash against Filipino-American fighter Brandon Vera, which was scheduled to headline ONE Championship’s “Spirit of Champions” event on Friday, December 11. 

According to ONE’s official statement, Parry said the reason for his sudden pullout is that he failed to submit his medical results and drug tests. The statement adds that Parry decided not to board the plane departing from London to Manila, which was scheduled for Tuesday, December 8. 

As result, Cheng will step in to take Parry’s spot to battle Vera for the available ONE heavyweight title. 

Cheng (4-1) was last seen in action when he scored a second-round stoppage victory over Mahmoud Hassan in July 2014.

On the other hand, Vera (13-7, 1 NC) last competed in his December 2014 promotional debut, where he defeated Ukrainian heavyweight Igor Subora with a straight left and follow-up soccer kicks in the first round. 

Over the weekend, Parry slammed Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion on social media as he alleged ONE already had plans of bringing in Paul Cheng to serve as a last-minute replacement.

JUST GOT SENT THIS!!! (Tweet has been removed) What bs you playin @ONEFCMMA either you are replacing @Verafied or me pic.twitter.com/eWefu96Ot8

— Chi Lewis-Parry (@RealChopperChi) December 5, 2015

In addition, Parry threatened that he would throw the ONE gold-plated strap to the trashcan if he walked away with it.

“I’m going to do a Riddick Bowe, and I’m going to have a bin and I’m [going to] win that belt and I’ll put it straight in the bin, and then say ‘Go on, you want that belt? Take it out the bin’. It’s exactly what I’m going to do because I’ve been disrespected,” he said in an interview with War of the Words Podcast.

However, ONE said that Cheng was coming to the country to promote the organization and accommodate interviews with the media.  

Rappler tried to reach Parry for comments, but he has not released a statement as of this article’s publication. – Rappler.com