MANILA, Philippines – On May 31, fans of mixed martial arts can get their fill of heart-pumping action at “ONE FC: Rise to Power” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Organized by Singapore-based MMA organization ONE Fighting Championship, the event will pit Filipino defending One FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario against veteran Japanese fighter Koji Oishi.

A second fight will have Brazilian MMA sensation Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes do battle with another Japanese fighter Koetzu Okazaki for the One FC Bantamweight Interim Title.

It will be Banario’s first time to defend his championship title. The 23-year-old Filipino’s skill and strength will be tested by Oishi, a 35-year-old submission specialist and former Lightweight King of Pancrase.

Tickets for “ONE FC: Rise to Power” will be available in all Casino Filipino branches starting on April 19.

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.

Words from the fighters

Last April 9, Rappler chatted with Banario and Fernandes at Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. The two are excited for the fight and can’t wait to give audiences a good show.

“I feel great. Confident ako sa laban ko ngayon, excited na ako (I feel great. I’m confident about my fight and I’m excited),” said Banario who spent the last few days training in Baguio.

Fernandes is psyched to be back in Asia and the Philippines, which One FC CEO Victor Cui calls “the fight capital of Asia.”

Fernandes couldn’t agree more:

“Asia has a lot of good fighters. If you go look at history, where are the sports coming from? Asia. The focus has to be Asia. For me, I love tradition. Tradition is something that never dies. Asia creates everything: Karate, Wushu, Kung Fu, Jiu-jitsu, everything.”

The two fighters also shared their all-time favorite fight moves.

“My favorite move is side-kick, like Bruce Lee,” said Banario who hails from a Wushu, Muay Thai and boxing background before taking on MMA.

As for Fernandes, it’s got to be choking.

“Choking is my favorite move. You can see the person and it’s like asking, ‘Do you want to keep on going or you want to give up?’ If they don’t want, they will tap out.”

What it takes to be a fighter

MMA, with its heady combinations of age-old fighting techniques and the freedom it gives to the fighter, is gaining popularity all over the world.

But what does it take to be a MMA fighter?

Banario, an MMA fighter since the age of 19, said self-discipline is one thing aspiring MMA fighters must have.

Bibiano added, “Discipline is the big one. You don’t come here to beat up somebody. It’s self-discipline, mental discipline, spiritual discipline.”

But like all martial arts, especially those that come from Asia, MMA is about the harmonious interaction of body, mind and soul.

Banario stressed how spirituality is an important aspect of MMA fighting.

“If you don’t know how to pray to God, you are lacking something.”

Bibiano agrees, saying, “Spirituality is 100% in MMA. You have to connect to your soul and to creation. Mixed martial arts give this to you. When you’re there you have to feel peace in your mind and spirit. You have to pray, pray for me and my opponent. That’s spiritual.”

MMA has taught both fighters lessons they can apply even outside the fighting cage.

“It makes me a better father and husband,” said Bibiano

“Discipline is something you can’t buy, but you have to build. You need discipline to take care of your mother, your brother, your wife, your kids.”

That same discipline will be put to the test on May 31. – Rappler.com